New research published on 7 May 2024 has highlighted an alarming number of attacks taking place against people raising concerns about risks and harm to the environment related to irresponsible business activity.
The data, published annually by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), recorded 630 attacks directly affecting an estimated 20,000 people involved in speaking out against business-related harms during 2023.
Over three-quarters (78%) of these attacks were against people taking action to protect the climate, environmental and land rights. These figures are just the tip of the iceberg, with the data only reflecting what is accessible through public sources of information.
Although attacks were recorded in almost every sector in 2023, the sectors connected with the highest number of attacks were mining (165), agribusiness (117) and oil, gas & coal (112). They have consistently been the most dangerous sectors since BHRRC began documenting these attacks in 2015 – and are the very sectors fuelling the planetary crisis.
Indigenous Peoples are particularly at risk when fighting for our planet. Since January 2015, more than 1,000 attacks have been recorded against Indigenous defenders globally, 93% of whom were raising concerns about harms to their lands and territories, our climate and/or the environment.
