More than 200 environmental advocates killed in 2020 – Global Witness

At least 227 environmental advocates were killed around the world in 2020, according to a report released on Monday.

The report from non-governmental organization Global Witness recorded a rise compared to the 212 registered deaths among environmental and land defenders in the year before.

However, the organization assumes that the actual number of environmental activists killed is significantly higher.

Almost three-quarters of the attacks took place in the Americas. 65 conservationists and environmental activists were killed in Colombia, 30 in Mexico and 29 in the Philippines.

Companies, farmers and – in some cases – state actors as well as criminal gangs, paramilitary groups and rebels are believed to be mostly behind the acts of violence.

Most of the killings were related to forestry, followed by water and dam construction projects and agriculture, according to the Global Witness report.

Source: GNA