358 Environmental Activists Killed in 2025 Despite Landmark Court Rulings
A new report reveals that at least 358 environmental and Indigenous rights defenders were murdered last year, even as international courts ordered governments to protect them.
A report released by the human rights group Front Line found that at least 358 environmental and Indigenous rights defenders were killed in 2025 [179489]. The group defines a "human rights defender" as anyone who works peacefully to protect the environment or Indigenous land rights [179489].
The killings occurred despite several high-profile rulings by international courts in 2024 and 2025. Courts in Latin America and Europe issued decisions stating that governments have a legal duty to safeguard both the environment and the people who defend it [179489].
Activists say the rulings have not changed conditions on the ground. Many defenders work in remote areas with weak law enforcement, making them vulnerable to attacks by illegal loggers, miners, and land grabbers [179489]. The report did not name all victims but noted that the majority of killings took place in countries with high levels of deforestation and mining activity. Colombia, Brazil, and the Philippines were among the deadliest countries for defenders [179489].
Front Line called on governments to implement the court rulings quickly and to prosecute those responsible for the killings [179489].