Now, all over the world, people related to the protection of the natural environment and wildlife, the so-calledenvironmentalistkillings continue to rise, with a record number of occurrences. 2020 will see the world's227 peoplewere killed for their environmental activism (*1). In addition, theApproximately three-quartersis happening in Latin America. What has caused this situation? This article explores in detail the causes, the background of each country, and the measures taken to protect them.

An environmentalist holds up a photo of Berta Cáceres, an environmental activist killed in Honduras in 2016, calling for her rights (Photo: Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos / Flickr [CC BY 2.0])

More Murders of Environmentalists Happening Around the World

Each year, there are killings of human rights activists advocating for environmental protection, indigenous rights, and race- and gender-related human rights, etc. By 2020, in 25 countries331 peopleThe people were murdered. AndApproximately three-quartersare occupied by environmentalists. Environmentalists here refer to residents who live in the natural environment, civic groups and individuals who work around the natural environment, forest rangers, biologists, and others who try to protect rivers, lakes, forests, and the organisms that live there from any loss or destruction. The number of killings of these environmentalists has been increasing every year, with the current number of occurrences in 2013Approx. 2 times The first two are the following.

So why do these killings occur all over the world and continue to increase? It is because various companies, organizations or individuals who are developing natural resources, environmentalists andcollisionOne of the major causes of this phenomenon is the fact that the land is often the target of poaching and resource exploitation. Today, poaching, land development and resource extraction for agriculture, forestry, mining, and hydroelectric power generation are underway around the world, often targeting lands rich in natural resources. In the midst of these conflicts of opinion, environmentalists are being victimized by the repression of violence.

There is another major factor. It is the fact that the murdererarrestThis means that in many cases, they are overlooked without being taken into account. One of the factors that contribute to this happening is the relationship between the government and the companies that want to take advantage of nature.collusionis considered. Also,mastermindIn many cases, it is difficult to identify the For example, a business or landowner may order the killing, and a hit man or gang mayExecution.This is the case in some cases. Moreover, under fragile state regimes and conflicts, police, military, gangs, and armed forcesInvolving murder.In some cases. Thus, the details of the case may remain unclear and the murdered environmentalists may be treated as mere victims of conflict and not as judicial cases.

Land development underway in Brazil (Photo: Coordenação-Geral de Observação da Terra / Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0])

Latin American Background

As noted above, the ever-increasing number of killings of environmentalists is particularly high in Latin America. Seven of the 10 countries with the worst killings of environmentalists are concentrated in Latin America, and by 2020, a total of165 caseskillings were recorded. Colombia had the highest number of killings in each country that year, with 65, followed by Mexico with 30, and Brazil with 20. Other countries also recorded many killings: 17 in Honduras, 13 in Guatemala, 12 in Nicaragua, and 6 in Peru. Why are these concentrated in Latin America? Let us explore the reasons in the historical background of Latin America.

It is believed that humans arrived in Latin America more than 12,000 years ago, and that they were from Asia. There, various empires and other political systems were created, with the Aztec Empire (present-day Mexico) and the Inca Empire (present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile) in particular becoming very influential. However, the Spanish and Portuguese invasions led to a long period of stagnation from the 16th century onward.colonial ruleThe indigenous people were deprived of their lands and forced to work for the landowners and a small elite. The indigenous people were dispossessed of their lands and forced to work for the landowners and a small elite class. even after many countries gained independence from their suzerain states in the 19th century, each country'sFewer ruling classThe situation remained the same, with the indigenous peoples remaining in the same situation as before. The settlers, who did not want to change the system of rule, sought to suppress and exterminate the indigenous peoples. In addition, from 1900 onward, many domestic and foreign companies and landowners targeted the abundant resources in Latin America.accessThe position of the indigenous people seeking to regain their land rights was becoming increasingly difficult.

In addition, in the management of land, the large multinational corporations and wealthy elites in Latin American countries are in conflict with the government, police, and media in each country.collusionThere are Protected areas were sometimes established to take into account the rights of indigenous peoples over land, but their own landFairly governedIt is difficult to say that it is possible to do so. For example, the Amazon lands of Peru'sApprox. 31%is controlled by the government for oil and gas concessions.

In addition, there is the problem of the killing of environmentalists being encouraged in areas of insecurity due to armed conflict and other factors. In Latin America, the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union as part of the Cold WarIntensifying ConflictsA number of regions have led to the In addition, since Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru are drug-producing regions, and the drugs are smuggled into North America via Central America and Mexico, it is related to theGangs and criminal organizationsis a major force behind the deterioration of security. A variety of factors, including the weak position of indigenous peoples throughout Latin America, weak governments, and insecurity, are likely to be contributing to the increase in the number of killings in Latin America.

Indigenous people protesting dam development in Brazil (Photo: Friends of the Earth International / Flickr [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0])

Specific status in each country

What is behind the increase in the number of murders of environmentalists to this point? Let us analyze Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Honduras, where the number of murders is particularly high, in that order.

Colombia has the highest murder rate of environmentalists. The country has for yearsarmed conflictwas happening, and the country was dangerous for environmentalists, but in 2016 the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebelspeace agreementSince then, the number of killings has decreased for a time, but the situation has worsened again. According to Indepaz, a Colombian peacebuilding nonprofit organization based in the capital, Bogota, Colombia has a 202065 peopleEnvironmentalists were killed in the United States and Canada in the same year, accounting for about one-third of all environmentalist killings worldwide. This represents about one-third of the total number of environmentalists killed worldwide in the same year.

The high number of homicides in Colombia has a deep historical background. During the colonial period and after independence, vast tracts of land passed to landlords and domestic and foreign companies, widening the gap between farmers and landowners. To correct this inequality, the FARC was founded by farmers and those who worked the land, and for 52 years, the government andconfrontationcontinued. In the midst of this conflict, criminal organizations and other resource extractors involved in cocaine production and smuggling were being linked to government officials, parties to the conflict, andjoin hands togetherA peace agreement was reached in 2016, but with the disarmament and withdrawal of the FARC, holes were created in the governance that had been in place. In the process, criminal organizations and mining companies began to become active, and environmentalists were targeted by these groups.trendwas further intensified. Yet another factor is the pandemic of the new coronavirus. The criminal organizations and armed groups mentioned above, under the guise of pandemic preparedness, have developed their owncheckpointThey are more likely to harm environmentalists who are inconvenient to them by creating

In Brazil, in 2017.57 peopleIn the same year, the number of environmentalists murdered in Brazil was the highest in the world. Brazil has a vast expanse of Amazonia, with about 800,000 indigenous people and about 12% of the country's land.account forA protected area exists. Encroachment by companies and individuals who see the area as a resource target against residents trying to protect the environment has been a problem for some time. However, since Jair Bolsonaro took office as president in 2019, the persecution of environmentaliststrendThe government is strengthening its The administration is encouraging those who seek to exploit the land's resources and recommending development plans around agriculture, forestry, and mining. In addition, it is encouraging the use of indigenous peoples' lands by illegal encroachers.A bill to exemptThe president himself has encouraged illegal activities, which has led to persecution and violence against environmentalists by those who seek to use the land. The president's own encouragement of illegal activities has led to persecution and violence against environmentalists by those who seek to exploit the land.increaseThe company is considered to be doing so.

Mines being developed in Brazilian forests (Photo: Dennis Jarvis / Flickr [CC BY-SA 2.0])

Next, let's look at Mexico. In Mexico, from 2012 to 2019, there will be at least83 peopleof environmentalists have been murdered. One of the factors contributing to the increase in murders in this country is the 2014energy reformIt is. This reform liberalized the energy industry, which had been closed to private investment. This has resulted in a large number of energy projects going forward in rural areas and where indigenous communities exist, without proper consultation or compensation. Therefore, this reform is considered a major factor in the increase in homicides, with about 83 of theone thirdhave been killed in connection with them.

Also notable in Mexico is the high number of killings associated with criminal organizations. Mexico is a transit point for the smuggling of cocaine from South American countries to the United States. Conflicts between criminal organizations involved in this smuggling areintensificationIn 2006, the government began to use military means, leading to an armed conflict. At the same time, however, corruption in the government, military, and police increased, and criminal organizations andcooperationIt is also believed that The killings are believed to have involved criminal gangs, as well as forestry and mining activities that may have been encouraged by the government.guessThe following is a summary of the results of the study.

A view of oil-related facilities in Mexico (Photo: Presidencia de la República Mexicana / Flickr [CC BY 2.0])

In Honduras over a period of about seven years, starting in 2010,More than 120 peopleenvironmentalists have been murdered. In the second half of the 20th century, the country experienced an outbreak of armed conflict that was exacerbated by the Cold War and led to a collapse of security. The end of the Cold War brought an end to the conflict. Although the conflict ended with the end of the Cold War, the country, like Mexico, has been a transit point for the drug trade, and criminal organizations and gangs have been a major presence in the country.existenceThe government is also notorious for its cozy relationship with landowners and businesses. In addition, the cozy relationship between the government and landowners and corporations has been conspicuous, and the crimes associated with resource development have not been addressed. For example,Hydroelectric dam constructionand environmentalists who opposed themine (ore)In some cases, environmentalists have been murdered for their opposition to the Many of the murders have been committed byarrestThe situation is not being addressed, and it continues to be easy to commit violent acts.

Attempts to protect the environment and also protect environmentalists

So what measures are being taken against intimidation and violence against environmentalists?

In each country and region, environmentalists have established citizens' groups through which they protest and demand action against companies, governments, and other countries in response to threats and violence. These citizen groups may also join forces with each other.

Typical of these are "COICA(*2), a coalition of civil society organizations. It was founded by representatives of transnational indigenous peoples to protect the Amazon environment. COICA is an organization that continues to grow in size, defends the interests of indigenous organizations at the regional and international levels, and supports their political activities.viewed as a problemand to Latin American countries to adopt policies to protect environmentalists, stop development that could cause homicides, etc.Seeking.The report also explains how environmentalists are being killed and the importance of stopping environmental destruction by defending them. He also explained how environmentalists are being killed and the importance of stopping the destruction of the environment by protecting them.VIDEO.The company also conducts a variety of educational activities, such as releasing to the world the

In addition, COICA has been working to ensure that by 2025, the Amazon Basinfour-fifthsIn 2021, the declaration was overwhelmingly supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which influences the world's environmental protection efforts.IUCN(*3), which was passed by the government. The fact that the land is considered a protected area protects the livelihood of the indigenous people who live there, the activities of environmentalists, and thebe connected toId.

Indigenous peoples in Guatemala at a conference on mining (Photo: Friends of the Earth International / Flickr [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0])

As a non-governmental organization (NGO), it also works to protect environmentalists. For many years, the international NGO "Global WitnessThe "Mere Old Man" continues to build relationships with environmentalists around the world and works to eliminate the threats to them. In order to further increase the communication by environmentalists on this issue, a Strategic Awareness Program (SAP) will be launched in 2020.SARP), which was launched by the company. The two sides will work together to use social media and other means to spread the word to the world about issues that have not been brought to light that environmentalists are facing. The goal is to draw global attention and deter killings.

The Alliance for the Protection of Land, Indigenous Peoples, and the Environment, a partnership between international and local NGOs, is a joint initiative of the Alliance for the Protection of Land, Indigenous Peoples, and the Environment (APC).ALLIED.Through ALLIED, the government and businesses are encouraged to protect environmentalists, and environmentalists are encouraged to share information on how to protect themselves. The program also encourages countries to protect their environmentalists.importanceHe preaches such things as

In 2012, ten countries signed a regional agreement on environmental issues in Latin America and the Caribbean, known as theLAC P10was declared. This agreement aims to protect those involved in environmental protection, expand opportunities for public participation in decisions related to the environment that affect their lives, and improve people's access to environmental information on development, such as water pollution, mining development, and deforestation. This will lead to their will being reflected in environmental development projects, which until now have been decided in places unrelated to environmental protectors. This will lead to less conflict and a reduction in the number of killings of environmentalists.expectationThe following is a summary of the results of the study.

Building on this, in 2018, the "Protecting Environmentalists in Latin America.Treaty of EsquazuThe "Convention on the Protection of the Environment" was adopted. This is the first treaty in the world to explicitly protect environmentalists. The Convention recognizes the high number of killings of environmentalists in Latin America, and it seeks to protect them from violence and to ensure that those who perpetrate such violence are subjected to adequate legal action.specificationIn 2021, the Convention entered into force with the signatures of 24 Latin American countries and has been ratified by 12 countries.

Signing of the Escazu Agreement (Photo: Cancillería Argentina / Wikimedia [CC BY 2.0])

summary

The fact that land development involves a great deal of wealth, vested interests, and other factors makes environmental protection activities very difficult and dangerous. But recent studies have shown that conflicts related to environmental issues11%showed that environmentalists have contributed to the cessation of environmentally destructive projects. After all, protecting the activities of environmentalists will help protect not only the rights of indigenous peoples but also the earth's environment.

The resources involved in cases like these continue to be exported from Latin American countries to other parts of the world. In other words, the increasing demand for these resources is also connected to this problem. However, as we have seen, various measures are being taken. We hope that this trend will not stop and that efforts related to environmental protection will continue.

1 This number is only the number of people who have been publicly reported and whose connection to environmental protection activities has been confirmed; the actual number is believed to be much higher. Not included in the reportreasonThere are also problems that are not publicized by the government and are not treated as cases due to judicial inequality, but are difficult to detect by outside groups due to language barriers and lack of coverage by the mainstream media.

2 Coordinadoradoradoras Organizaciones Indígenasdela Cuenca Amazónica (Coordinators of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin), established in 1984 in Lima, Peru, by representatives of five indigenous Amazonian organizations from Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. It is the umbrella organization for indigenous organizations in the Amazon Basin, founded in 1984 in Lima, the capital of Peru, by representatives of five indigenous Amazonian organizations from Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia. Since its founding, it has defended the rights of indigenous peoples.

3 A national conservation organization with its headquarters in Switzerland. It includes states, governments, and NGOs. It has been instrumental in pushing for the enactment of UN conventions and national treaties on nature conservation.

Writer: Hikaru Kato

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