The international group Global Witness has reported that 116 persons, defenders of the environment, were murdered in 2014. This means that at least two people were killed every week as they attempted to defend their livelihood from destruction. This is a 20% increase on the 2013 figures, though many believe that the real number of deaths in much higher. Of those killed in 2014, 88 were from Latin America. More than 40% of the total were from indigenous groups.
The Global Witness Report – How many more? – stated that many of those killed were shot by police during legitimate protests, others were sought out by assassins. Many live in remote jungle villages, where communities have little access to means of communication in order to denounce such assassinations.
- with thanks to the Far East, magazine of the Columban Missionaries, September/October 2015