Land, environmental and Indigenous defenders

Land, environmental and Indigenous defenders are on the front line of the fight for our planet’s future. We provide them with the security, support and resources they need to meet this moment.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recognises that the voices of Indigenous communities and environmentalists already suffering the consequences of climate change must be heard if we’re to stem the crisis. Yet many live in fear of speaking out.

More than four land and environmental defenders are murdered every week, with Indigenous defenders massively over-represented among those killed. Rural communities often lack the information and resources to counter business interests affecting their rights.

PBI provides holistic protective accompaniment and support so that land, environmental and Indigenous defenders are able to continue their vital work in secure conditions.

Case study: supporting Indigenous defenders in Guatemala

In Guatemala, members of the Central Farmers Coordination Ch’orti’ Nuevo Día (CCCND) have faced threats, physical attacks, and imprisonment as a reprisal for their work defending Indigenous rights in the face of controversial extractive projects colluding with corrupt authorities.

PBI provides CCCND and several ch’orti’ communities with holistic protective accompaniment. Our teams ensure a monitoring presence in high-conflict areas, and provide physical accompaniment to some of the most threatened Indigenous leaders and their lawyers.

PBI UK arranged for legal delegations to visit the region, successfully advocated for the UK Government and embassy to take action in support of the communities, and connected CCCND representatives with global support networks.

With sufficient safety and enhanced international backing, CCCND has helped Indigenous communities to resist land grabs and prevent the imposition of destructive extractive projects. For example, a 2020 Constitutional Court ruling recognised the collective right to property of various ch’orti’ communities, and promised to cancel mining licences in the area. With local communities continuing to farm sustainably, the result is a win not only for the Ch’orti’, but for the planet.