Documenting the global struggles of defenders protecting land and environmental rights

In 2024, 146 land and environmental defenders around the world were murdered or disappeared. The consequences are devastating – tearing apart families, upending whole communities and undermining wider human rights efforts.

They were all attacked after speaking out or taking action to defend their right to land and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Many were opposing harmful extractive projects, like mining, logging or agribusiness. Others were challenging systemic problems, like land inequality, environmental destruction and
organised crime. Our data helps to reveal the drivers behind reprisals against defenders and their communities and highlights the increased risks they face. Exposing these trends is the first step to protecting them and making sure they can exercise their rights without fearing for their lives.