Economic & Social Rights

The land and environmental defenders facing the deadliest year on record

"These defenders are part of a global movement to protect the planet. They are on the frontline of fighting climate change, preserving ecosystems and safeguarding human rights. They stand up for causes that benefit us all: sustainability, biodiversity and justice." - Global Witness

2017 was the deadliest year on record for land and environmental defenders, according to a new report released on 24 July 2018 by NGO Global Witness.

New toolbox for defenders working on business and human rights

PBI UK and Simmons & Simmons launch toolbox for defenders working on business and human rights

June 2018 - This week marks the launch of an innovative new resource for defenders working on issues regarding business and human rights. It was produced by law firm Simmons & Simmons in collaboration with PBI UK.

ALERT Guatemalan land defenders face wave of assassinations

The situation for land rights defenders in Guatemala is seriously and rapidly deteriorating, according to alerts released by PBI Guatemala and other human rights organisations. Since 9 May, seven indigenous leaders and activists have been killed across the country.

TZK'AT Network of Ancestral Healers of Community Feminism

TZK'AT

The Peaceful Resistance of Cahabón

Peaceful Resistance of Cahabon

On the Cahabón River and its tributaries Oxec, Canlich and Chiacté, seven hydroelectric plants currently operate: Renace I, II, III, IV, Oxec, Oxec II, and Chichaic.

The EU calls on Colombian President to act now to protect human rights defenders

On the 16th of March 2018 members of the EU Parliament sent a letter to the Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to express serious concern in regard to the recent increase in assassinations and threats against human rights defenders and community leaders in Colombia.

Marcos Leyva, EDUCA, Mexico

Marcos Leyva is a Mexican human rights defender from the state of Oaxaca. He is Director of the NGO EDUCA. EDUCA advises organizations and indigenous communities defending their rights, promotes civic education, empowers indigenous authorities and pushes for local development projects. The case of Rosalinda Dionicio and the United People’s Network of the Ocatlán Valley is accompanied by EDUCA.

Rosalinda Dionicio, United Peoples’ Network of the Ocotlán Valley, Mexico

Rosalinda Dionicio is a leader of the United Peoples’ Network of the Ocotlán Valley in Defence of Territory. Since 2009, the organisation has been demanding the closure of the San José mine, owned by a subsidiary of the Canadian company Fortuna Silver Mines, which they say has caused environmental destruction and water shortages in their communities. Rosalinda is a survivor of a 2012 attack by gunmen in which her colleague Bernardo Vásquez Sánchez was assassinated – one of many serious human rights violations suffered by the organisation.

Attacks against Colombian Peace Community trigger international response

Jan 2018

UK Parliament expresses concern over killings of HRDs in Colombia

On December 20th 2017 Ann Clwyd MP tabled an early day motion (EDM) in parliament on the critical situation in Colombia for human rights defenders. This statement comes after the killings of prominent land rights defenders Mario Castaño Bravo and Hernán Bedoya at the end of 2017. The EDM reads:

United Kingdom