Killed for speaking up: UN sounds alarm over attacks on environmental defenders

This article is published in association with United Nations.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on Thursday for greater protection for environmental and land defenders, noting that hundreds worldwide have been killed or detained in recent years.

His appeal came in remarks to the first-ever European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders held in Strasbourg, France, where he warned that the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average, with increasing floods, shrinking glaciers and heatwaves. 

“Extreme weather kills thousands of Europeans every summer,” he said.  “Across the continent, 95 per cent of urban residents breathe unsafe air, and more than 80 per cent of habitats are in poor or bad condition.” 

Activists under threat 

Mr. Türk praised defenders of the environment who speak up, mobilise and take concrete action to protect the planet, communities and democracy. 

 “The environmental justice movement is a powerful human rights alliance uniting science, law, ethics, philosophy, and art – an alliance that cannot be defeated in a fair contest,” he said.  

“That is why some of its opponents resort to brutal and dishonest measures. They kill, abduct, detain, and weaponize laws meant to protect people’s rights.” 

Hundreds killed, disappeared or detained 

The High Commissioner said his Office, OHCHR, has recorded nearly 600 environmental and land defenders killed or disappeared worldwide over the past three years.  

“In at least 55 countries, they have been detained for their activism,” he added. 

He noted that while “many European countries pride themselves on ambitious climate and environmental goals,” new laws criminalizing peaceful protest are still being enacted. 

“It is shocking that people defending our children’s future are prosecuted under laws designed to fight terrorism and organized crime,” he said. 

“I urge all Governments to ensure the safety of environmental defenders and accountability for all abuses.”  

He also called for authorities to respect court rulings and establish a stronger regional protection system for environmental defenders.

‘Get low for climate’ 

The UN rights chief was speaking on the eve of World Environment Day. 

The annual celebration on 5 June is led by the UN Environment Progamme (UNEP) which calls for action in the face of global warming and rising emissions as countries struggle to keep global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. 

“We have to go low,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. “We have to make sure that if we bypass 1.5, we quickly bring it back down again. But we can do it. We have all the solutions.” 

UNEP has launched a global limbo dance challenge, encouraging people everywhere to “get low for climate.” 

Brazilian DJ Alok has loaned his club smash ‘Deep Down’ for the campaign and celebrities such as American actor Jason Momoa, UNEP Advocate for Life Below Water, are showing their support. 

 “Where I come from, movement means something. It carries story, respect, connection,” said the Hawaii-born star of hit films Aquaman and A Minecraft Movie, along with television series Chief of War. 

“So, for World Environment Day, the United Nations Environment Programme is celebrating movement and the power of using our voices to create change.”