16 Environmental Defenders Have Been Killed So Far in 2018

By Guardian UK

07 April 18

 

ver the past year, in collaboration with Global Witness, the Guardian has attempt to record the deaths of all these people, whether they be wildlife rangers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or indigenous land rights activists in Brazil. At this current rate, chances are that four environmental defenders will be killed this week somewhere on the planet.

Some of the latest to have died

Killed on 2 March 2018 in Philippines

Ricardo Mayumi, an indigenous activist opposed to a hydroelectric dam project who was shot dead in his home

Killed on 20 February 2018 in Honduras

Luis Fernando Ayala, a 16-year-old member of the Santabarbarense Environmental Movement (MAS) found dead and reportedly with signs of torture

Killed on 17 January 2018 in Kenya

Robert Kirotich, an indigenous herder reportedly shot by the Kenya Forest Service during a forced eviction for an EU-funded water conservation project

Killed on 16 January 2018 in Mexico

Guadalupe Campanur, founder and ex-member of the forest defense patrols in Cherán found strangled on a roadside

Killed on 9 January 2018 in Guatemala

Ronal David Barillas Díaz, a Xinca leader and human rights defender who was shot dead

All who died in 2018

Paulo Sérgio Almeida Nascimento Brazil
Kavous Seyed Emami Iran
Teurn Soknai Cambodia
Sek Wathana Cambodia
Thul Khna Cambodia
Evaldo Florentino Brazil
Ricky Olado Philippines
Márcio Matos Brazil
Valdemir Resplandes Brazil
Jomo Nyanguti Kenya
B Sailu India

Most dangerous places for defenders

Since the start of 2015, 145 land and environmental defenders have died in Brazil: the highest number on Earth. Many of the killings were of people trying to combat illegal logging in the Amazon. The Philippines comes second on the list, with 102 deaths in all. Honduras remains the most dangerous country to be a defender, with more killings per capita than anywhere else.

The pattern over recent years

The death toll has risen in recent years, and researchers warn the upward trend is likely to continue if governments and businesses fail to act. The most violent full year recorded so far was 2016, when 201 defenders were killed.

What’s driving this violence?

The short answer is: industry. The most deadly industries to go up against were agribusiness and mining. Poaching, hydroelectric dams and logging were also key drivers of violence, Global Witness found. Many of the killings recorded occurred in remote villages deep within mountain ranges and rainforests, with indigenous communities hardest hit.