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the defenders
defenders have been killed in 2017
while protecting their community’s land or natural resources
Over the past year, in collaboration with Global Witness, the Guardian has attempt to record the deaths of all these people, whether they be wildlife rangers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or indigenous land rights activists in Brazil. At this current rate, chances are that four environmental defenders will be killed this week somewhere on the planet.

Some of the latest to have died

All who died in 2017

Expand list

Most dangerous places for defenders

Since the start of 2015, 145 land and environmental defenders have died in Brazil: the highest number on Earth. Many of the killings were of people trying to combat illegal logging in the Amazon. The Philippines comes second on the list, with 102 deaths in all. Honduras remains the most dangerous country to be a defender, with more killings per capita than anywhere else.

The pattern over recent years

The death toll has risen in recent years, and researchers warn the upward trend is likely to continue if governments and businesses fail to act. The most violent full year recorded so far was 2016, when 201 defenders were killed.

What’s driving this violence?

The short answer is: industry. The most deadly industries to go up against were agribusiness and mining. Poaching, hydroelectric dams and logging were also key drivers of violence, Global Witness found. Many of the killings recorded occurred in remote villages deep within mountain ranges and rainforests, with indigenous communities hardest hit.

Additional work by Josh Holder and Joshua Robson

Sources: The data here was compiled by Global Witness. You can read about their methodology here. Global Witness’ work in this area is dependent on research by, among others, CPT, Brazil, Somos Defensores, Colombia, UDEFEGUA, Guatemala, Kalikasan and Karapatan, Philippines, Comité Cerezo, Mexico, The Thin Green Line Foundation, and the International Ranger Federation.