Nature Defenders Murdered Weekly, Form Self-Defence Units

Nature and land defenders were killed at an alarming rate of one every three days in 2025, a trend that has compelled numerous communities to establish self-defence units, according to the latest annual death toll report by the independent watchdog Global Witness. The report documented a total of 124 killings of defenders throughout the year. A significant majority, 85% of these deaths, occurred in Latin America, highlighting the region's particular vulnerability. The findings underscore a severe and escalating crisis for individuals protecting natural resources and territories from exploitation and violence.

Organised crime groups or professional killers were implicated in over a third of the 124 recorded killings of defenders in 2025. This involvement is frequently linked to the expansion of narco-trafficking activities, which often intersect with intrusions into indigenous territories and other environmental crimes. These crimes include illegal logging operations and unregulated wildcat gold mining, activities that not only destroy ecosystems but also directly threaten the lives of those who oppose them. The report from Global Witness, a non-governmental organisation that campaigns to expose and end human and environmental abuse, provides a stark overview of the dangers faced by environmental activists worldwide.

Global Witness has been tracking the killings of environmental defenders for years, consistently reporting high numbers and the systemic nature of the violence. The organisation's previous reports have detailed how defenders are often Indigenous peoples, who are frequently on the front lines of protecting vital ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest. These communities often face intimidation, harassment, and violence from corporations and criminal networks seeking to exploit natural resources. The establishment of self-defence units signifies a desperate measure taken by communities who feel abandoned by state protection and are forced to take matters into their own hands to survive and protect their ancestral lands and the environment.

The data from 2025 indicates a continuation of a dangerous pattern, with environmental defenders being among the most at-risk professions globally. The report implies that the overlap between organised crime, resource extraction, and the violation of land rights creates a volatile environment where those who stand against these practices are targeted. The call for enhanced protection for these individuals and communities is amplified by these findings, as the rate of killings suggests a widespread failure to safeguard those who are crucial in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.