According to a study by Front Line Defenders and the Human Rights Defenders Memorial, at least 358 activists were killed in 2021. Of that, nearly 60% were land, environment, or Indigenous rights defenders.
The countries with the highest death tolls were Colombia, Mexico and Brazil.
Advocates say the figure is likely far higher, as attacks on land and environmental defenders in Africa often go unreported.
Environment and indigenous rights defenders aim for transparency, accountability and justice. They are blowing the whistle on human rights violations.
NPWJ calls on governments to secure policies and implement measures to protect them.
