MORE than 2,000 land and environmental defenders were killed between 2012 and 2023, according to a damning report released by Global Witness today.

This year alone some 196 defenders have been killed trying to protect their homes, community or the planet.

At least 2,106 have been murdered in total during the recorded 11-year period.

Overall, Colombia was found to be the deadliest country in the world, with 79 deaths in total last year — compared to 60 in 2022, and 33 in 2021.

This is the most defenders killed in one country in a single year, Global Witness has reported. 

With 461 killings from 2012 to 2023, Colombia has the highest number of reported environmental defender killings globally on record.

Other deadly countries in Latin America include Brazil, with 25 killings last year, and Mexico and Honduras, which both had 18.

Central America has emerged as one of the most dangerous places in the world for defenders.

With 18 defenders killed in Honduras, the country had the highest number of killings per capita in 2023. 

Worldwide, indigenous peoples and Afro descendents continue to be disproportionately targeted, accounting for 49 per cent of total murders.

But the report also explores the crackdown on environmental activists across Britain, Europe and the United States, where harsh sentences are more frequently imposed on those who have played a role in climate protests.

Laura Furones, lead author and senior adviser to the Land and Environmental Defenders Campaign at Global Witness said: “As the climate crisis accelerates, those who use their voice to courageously defend our planet are met with violence, intimidation, and murder. 

“Our data shows that the number of killings remains alarmingly high, a situation that is simply unacceptable.”

She added: “Governments cannot stand idly by; they must take decisive action to protect defenders and to address the underlying drivers of violence against them.”