Latin America Is Deadliest Region For Environmental Activists

In 2024, 146 land and environmental defenders around the world were murdered or disappeared, according to a new report from Global Witness.

The organization notes that the figure might actually be higher, given that many attacks often go unreported. This year’s figures are lower overall compared to last year’s which covered 2023 – down from 196 people to 146, though the researchers say that this does not mean that safety is improving for climate defenders around the world. Underreporting remains a global issue and there are often obstacles to verifying suspected instances of killings and disappearances. Researchers also note that alternative silencing tactics, such as abductions and criminalization, appear to be on the rise globally.

“States across the world are weaponizing their legal s