MEXICO IS WORLD’S DEADLIEST SPOT FOR LAND DEFENDERS, ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS: REPORT

Fri 30 September 2022:

Mexico has risen to the top of the list of the most dangerous places in the world for land defenders and environmental activists, according to the NGO Global Witness,

According to the group’s report, “Decade of Defiance,” Mexico had the highest number of murders among the 200 land and environmental defenders killed in 2021, with 54 killings, up from 30 in 2020.

In the last ten years, Mexico has documented 154 cases of lethal violence against land defenders and activists, with 131 murders reported between 2017 and 2021 alone.

Mining was the primary sector affected by violence worldwide. The industry reported the most killings with 27 documented cases in 2021. But the majority of attacks were concentrated in Mexico.

According to Global Witness, the violence appears to be concentrated in the northern region and the southeast, precisely in the states of Sonora and Oaxaca, respectively, with 40% of the victims being of indigenous origin.

There were 238 aggressions documented against land and environment activists, a surge of more than 160% compared to 65 reported in 2020, according to the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (Cemda).

The agency also reported cases of intimidation, physical attacks, forced displacement, disappearances, and extrajudicial executions against entire communities.

According to Global Witness, there will be 12 mass killings worldwide in 2021, with four occurring in Mexico.

Furthermore, the vast majority of cases resulted in complete impunity, with 94% remaining unreported and only 0.9% resolved.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent