Inspiring stories

Around the world, those who defend the environment and the human rights that depend on it face all kinds of obstacles, challenges and threats. Overcoming adversity, they have been working to change the lives of many.

Frente de Mujeres Defensoras de la Pachamama (FMDP)

Frente de Mujeres Defensoras de la Pachamama (FMDP)

In 2006 and 2007, Cuenca, the capital city of the province of Azuay, in Ecuador, was the stage of multiple mining projects. The Rio Blanco gold and silver mining project has raised concern and sparked opposition in the local communities, due to ...

Country: Ecuador

Lead Pollution in Kenya

Lead Pollution in Kenya

'In 2016, the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA), instituted a class action lawsuit on behalf of the Owino Uhuru community in a Kenyan Environment and Land Court, in relation to lead contamination and poisoning.' ...

Country: Kenya

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

'As a group of lawyers, BELA was established in 1992 with the objective of promoting environmental justice and contributing to the development of sound environmental jurisprudence.' (...)  

Country: Bangladesh

Oil block 113

SAPET, the Peruvian subsidiary of CNPC has been one of the first Chinese overseas oil undertakings and is operating in Peru since the 1990s. In 2005 SAPET acquired exploration rights for Block 113, which overlapped with a Territorial Reserve ...

Country: Peru

Agua Zarca hydropower project

From 2012 to 2013, Sinohydro was planning to build the Agua Zarca Hydropower Project on the Gualcarque river in Honduras. The project is opposed by the local indigenous Lenca population who according to international right have to be consulted ...

Country: Honduras

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative – EITI

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) is one of the international oil companies operating in Iraq after the war and in difficult circumstances. The company has contributed significantly to the country joining the Extractive Industries ...

Country: Iraq

Belinga iron ore mine

The Belinga Iron Ore Mine was going to be located in a remote area of Northeast Gabon and to be powered by a new dam which was going to cover famous waterfalls inside a National Park, as well as connected to a new deepwater port through a new ...

Country: Gabon

The Formosa environmental disaster

The Formosa environmental disaster

April 4-6: The environmental disaster occurs: An underground pipe near the Formosa steel mill (a Taiwanese enterprise) started spewing dark yellow water. (...)
Assembly of the Poor

Assembly of the Poor

Assembly of the Poor is a nationwide movement of rural and urban grassroots groups organizing to collectively defend and promote the rights of the poor. (...)

Country: Thailand

Arrest of the ‘Huehuetenango Seven’

Arrest of the ‘Huehuetenango Seven’

In 2009 Hidralia Energía, through its branch Hidro Santa Cruz, plans on constructing an Hydroelectric Dam. The Q´ANJOB´AL community opposes to the construction of the dam arguing that it will: restrict the domestic agricultural use of water, ...

Country: Guatemala

Can Thi Theu – fighting against land grabs

Can Thi Theu – fighting against land grabs

Can Thi Theu is a land rights defender from Vietnam. She has been campaigning against land seizures and documenting it, in Hanoi and its surrounding provinces since 2007, when her family´s farm was confiscated. (...)

Country: Vietnam

Cambodian Human Rights Task Force – CHRTF

Cambodian Human Rights Task Force – CHRTF

The CHRTF investigates and reports on illegal logging activities, particularly rosewood logging, by corrupt officials and business leaders in Cambodia. Ouch Leng is the head of this NGO. (...)

Country: Cambodia