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

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Lenca Indigenous Movement of La Paz Honduras – MILPAH

Lenca Indigenous Movement of La Paz Honduras – MILPAH

land rights | right to environmental information | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to participate in environmental decision-making | rights of EHRD | rights of indigenous peoples | women´s rights
MILPAH peacefully defends and promote the rights of Lenca indigenous communities in the context of their ancestral lands. (...)

Country: Honduras

Protectoras Ambientales de la Flor y Lomas de Amancaes – PAFLA

Protectoras Ambientales de la Flor y Lomas de Amancaes – PAFLA

right to environmental information | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to participate in environmental decision-making
The green spaces surrounding Lima, Peru, are known as 'lomas'. The 'lomas' are a fragile ecosystem named fog oases, that are home to threatened and endemic species. (...)

Country: Peru

Grassroots movement against Sterlite copper plant

Grassroots movement against Sterlite copper plant

right to effective remedies | right to environmental information | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to health | right to life
Since the beginning when it was first proposed in 1995, the Tuticorin Sterlite Copper plant was controversial due to its highly polluting nature, and was initially rejected in three different Indian states until it was approved by Tamil Nadu. (...)

Country: India

Klong Sai Pattana Community

Klong Sai Pattana Community

land rights | right to effective remedies | right to environmental information | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to participate in environmental decision-making
The Klong Sai Pattana community in Krabi province, Thailand is engaged in a struggle with a palm oil producer, Jiew Kang Jue Pattana Co Ltd. Jiew Kang Jue Pattana Co. Ltd. was sued for illegally occupying and exploiting the community´s land.

Country: Thailand

Paga Hill Settlement Community

Paga Hill Settlement Community

land rights | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to participate in environmental decision-making
Paga Hill community was established after the Second World War. People have been living there for the last four generations. They were given the customary user rights to the land. In 2012, the Paga Hill Development Company, a joint venture ...

Country: Papua New Guinea

Francia Márquez

Francia Márquez

land rights | right to environmental information | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to life | right to participate in environmental decision-making | rights of EHRD | rights of indigenous peoples | women´s rights
'The defence of our territory is paid with life' - says Francia Márquez, an Afro-Colombian women who is an environmental leader of the afro-descendant community in Cauca, Colombia. (...)

Country: Colombia

John Moreno Rutowski

John Moreno Rutowski

land rights | right to effective remedies | right to freedom from arbitrary detention | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to liberty and security of person | right to participate in environmental decision-making
In 2013 the Mexican government approved the construction of a hotel in Punta Lobos beach. The real estate agency Black Creek developed a large touristic project near the town of Todos Santos. The Punta Lobos fishing cooperative decided to fight ...

Country: Mexico

Mother Nature Cambodia

Mother Nature Cambodia

right to environmental information | right to freedom from arbitrary detention | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to liberty and security of person | right to participate in environmental decision-making | rights of EHRD
In 2015, Alejandro Gonzalez Davidson founded the NGO Mother Nature Cambodia, to campaign with local communities from the Koh Kong region to protect the area´s mangrove ecosystems from the effects of sand mining. (...)

Country: Cambodia

Movimiento Ambiental Guardianes por la Vida

Movimiento Ambiental Guardianes por la Vida

children´s rights | right to education | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to life | right to participate in environmental decision-making
The 'Environmental Movement Keepers for life' is a group of boys and girls that are looking to encourage environmental care, promote awareness about the care for the planet, which is the only one that holds life. (...)  

Country: Colombia

Ruth Buendía

Ruth Buendía

land rights | right to environmental information | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to participate in environmental decision-making | rights of EHRD | rights of indigenous peoples | women´s rights
Environmental activists and indigenous leader of the Asháninka community from the Peruvian Amazon, known for her work in the defence of her culture and the environment. (...)

Country: Peru

Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva

Mujeres Amazónicas Defensoras de la Selva

land rights | right to environmental information | right to freedom from arbitrary detention | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to participate in environmental decision-making | rights of EHRD | rights of indigenous peoples | women´s rights
Women from the Kichwa, Shuar, Achuar, Waorani, Zapara, Andwa, Shiwiar, Cofán, Siona, Siekopai, and Kius peoples, raised against the extractivism destroying their homes, the 'Pachamama'. (...)

Country: Ecuador

Ifugao indigenous community vs. mining company

Ifugao indigenous community vs. mining company

right to environmental information | right to food | right to freedom from arbitrary detention | right to freedom of assembly and association | right to freedom of expression and opinion | right to health | right to liberty and security of person | right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation | rights of indigenous peoples
'In solidarity with the people of Didipo, Nueva Viscaya in asserting their right to a balanced and healthful ecology, ATM, Kalikasan PNE, LRC-KsK/FoE Philippines, and Mining Wtch Canada, as well as other national and international groups, ...

Country: Philippines