green activists were killed between 2002 and 2013
661
killings took place in the context of conflicts over the ownership, control and use of land
34
perpetrators are currently facing charges
Ramesh Agrawal, Indian environmental activist who was recently awarded the Goldman Prize, survived an attack by gunmen, But others of his ilk have not been so lucky.
A recent report by London - based Global Witness reveals as many as 908 green activists were killed between 2002 and 2013. A look at some of the main findings of the report, which marks the 25th anniversary of Chico Mendes' murder
Precious loss
At least 908 people were killed in 35 countries for protecting rights to land and the environment between 2002 and 2013; 2012 has been the worst year so far for environment defenders, with 147 killings - nearly three times more than in 2002
deaths make Brazil the most dangerous place to defend rights to land and the environment
109
deaths in Honduras; it is second most dangerous field for green warriors
6
deaths have been reported from India
Most killers got away
Only 10 perpetrators are known to have been tried, convicted and punished between 2002 and 2013 - around one per cent of the overall incidence of known killings. Only 34 perpetrators are currently facing charges
Issues that triggered these deaths
killings took place in the context of conflicts over the ownership, control and use of land
150
killings have taken place as a result of struggles against mining projects
94
known killings were connected to forests issue
Land conflicts
Conflict over land and forest rights is the main driver of deaths of activists. At least 661 - over two-thirds - of the killings took place in the context of conflicts over the ownership, control and use of land
Mining
At least 150 killings have taken place as a result of struggles against mining projects. In Peru, for example, there were 46 killings of demonstrators at mining sites
Deforestation
About 60 million indigenous people are almost wholly dependent on forests. Globally,
from 2002 - 2013, 94 known killings were connected to this issue and 22 of these were in last two years
It is time to act
Unsustainable and inequitable management of natural resources fuels conflict, encourages corruption and does irreparable damage to the environment. It is clear that governments of most of those killed do not even know who the perpetrators were. Far too little is being done to tackle this problem at all levels - and this must change
By Vani Manocha & Lalit Maurya
