Environmental warriors face threats across the globe 

October 10, 2025

A new report by Global Witness has revealed that at least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or disappeared in 2024, averaging three every week. The findings are documented in the Defenders Annual Report 2025, *Roots of Resistance*, released on September 17, 2025.

The report highlights a long-term pattern of violence against defenders. From 2012 to 2024, a total of 2,253 defenders were killed or went missing. In 2024, there were four documented long-term disappearances, defined as missing for more than six months, in the Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, and Chile.

Latin America continues to be the deadliest region for land and environmental defenders, accounting for 82 per cent of cases in 2024. Indigenous peoples and small-scale farmers were among the worst affected groups, with 45 defenders killed or disappeared in each category last year.

Colombia remains the most dangerous country globally for defenders. In 2024, 48 killings were recorded in Colombia, the highest number worldwide for the third consecutive year. Guatemala followed with 20 killings, a significant increase from four in 2023. Mexico reported at least 18 killings, Brazil at least 12, the Philippines seven, and both Honduras and Indonesia five each.

Land conflicts persist as a major source of violence in Colombia. Of the 48 defenders killed, 20 were small-scale farmers, while 19 were from Indigenous communities. The four long-term disappearances documented last year occurred in Chile, Honduras, Mexico, and the Philippines.

The report identifies the industries linked to these attacks. Mining and extractives were associated with 29 cases, logging with eight, and agribusiness with four. Overall, 62 per cent of cases (91 out of 146) were connected to land or land reform disputes.

Although the number of killings and disappearances in 2024 (146) was lower than in 2023 (196), the report notes that alternative tactics to silence defenders appear to be rising. These include abductions, criminalisation, harassment, and other forms of intimidation, indicating a shift in strategies rather than a decline in overall risk.

Global Witness also emphasizes that annual variations do not necessarily reflect long-term trends at the national level. Underreporting remains a concern, particularly in Asia and Africa, due to difficulties verifying cases in conflict zones and restricted access to affected communities.

The report highlights the broader context of threats facing defenders, including limitations on civic space and increasing fear among communities about voicing opposition to harmful activities. Restrictions on protest, legal challenges, and targeted intimidation contribute to an environment in which defenders operate under constant threat.

Global Witness calls on governments to address the systemic factors perpetuating violence against defenders. Recommendations include securing land and territorial rights, strengthening national legal frameworks, and ensuring adequate state protection for those at risk. Case studies in the report illustrate how complex local, legal, and economic systems leave defenders exposed to repeated harm.

The report underscores that protecting land and environmental defenders is not only a matter of human rights but also of safeguarding ecosystems and community livelihoods. It stresses that coordinated government action, legal reform, and proactive protection measures are essential to prevent further killings and disappearances, particularly in regions where economic interests collide with Indigenous and local communities’ rights.