Carmen Matarlo

Defenders of Economic, Social and Cultural rights, including land and environmental defenders, are the most likely to be victims of killings. There are numerous reports of HRDs becoming the target of violence, intimidation and harassment, including by government officials, when they seek information about projects, investors or a project’s approval process, which often involves corruption. If they persist in this work despite the threats, they can face judicial harassment or extra-judicial killing. Rural and indigenous HRDs who peacefully defend their land or oppose major industrial projects face similar threats and attacks. The lack of legal protection also puts LGBTI rights defenders at risk in their everyday lives.