The spate of killings of environment and land defenders in different parts of the world is a serious concern as it is ironic that our endeavors to preserve our environment is being suppressed with violent intensity. How is it that such noble causes to preserve and ensure the sustainability of our ecology to support life is paid with punitive acts like human rights violations.

From the reports of an independent international watchdog, Global Witness, it shows a significant number of environmentalists killed in the past year, averaging to three killed in a certain week. The victims are mostly activists and indigenous peoples involved in campaigns to defend the environment and indigenous land rights from the exploitation of mining, energy projects, logging and agribusiness.

It is imperative to point out the fact that the target areas of these development aggression are ancestral domains of indigenous peoples where there are large mineral deposits, home to water bodies with potentials for energy generation and wide expanse of fertile soil. These communities that mainly rely on the land for survival through agriculture and traditional livelihood are constantly threatened with displacement by big business interests, hence the need for them to stand up and lead the struggle to defend their territories from destruction or take over by private and foreign entities; territories that they’ve worked so hard to preserve its biodiversity and fertility for future generations.

For the same reason, indigenous leaders and environmental defenders become victims of human rights violations, killings, abductions, forced disappearances, harassment and slapped with trumped-up charges. Their communities, with the loss of their leaders added to the trauma of these violence are forced to flee from their homes and with resistance suppressed, private corporations are free to plunder and exploit the natural resources and leave it barren after.

Global Witness’s study shows a staggering number of human rights violations related to land disputes from across the globe with the Philippines topping the list followed by other countries from Latin America, Africa and mostly from Asia. In most cases, the victims are indigenous peoples, the tillers and stewards of the land.

The world should not look the other way when the people who put their lives on the line to keep our environment from further degradation are criminalized or killed. Let us unite with the indigenous peoples to further the defense of our lands from exploitation.

This coming August 9th is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples; we call for solidarity and support in our campaigns to stop criminalizing indigenous activists and to join us in our struggle to defend land, life and resources. We enjoin all organizations, groups, networks and individuals to utilize all their platforms and bring global attention to the plight of indigenous peoples and the deteriorating state of our environment.

For reference:

Ms. Jill Carino

AIPNEE Coordinator