A report by Global Witness reveals that at least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or went missing globally in 2024, with over 80% of these incidents occurring in Latin America. This region remains the most dangerous for individuals advocating for their communities and natural resources, accounting for 120 of the total incidents. Colombia is identified as the deadliest country, with 48 killings, which represents nearly one-third of the global total. Guatemala follows with a significant increase in violence, reporting 20 killings compared to just four the previous year. Mexico accounts for 18 killings.

The report emphasizes that Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by this violence, representing about one-third of all lethal attacks despite comprising only approximately 6% of the global population. In Colombia's Cauca region, Indigenous youth are actively engaged in community initiatives aimed at protecting their land and culture from threats posed by armed groups and extractive industries.

Small-scale farmers also represent a significant portion of victims linked to violent confrontations over land disputes often associated with mining and agribusiness activities. Organized crime groups are suspected to be involved in many cases of violence against defenders.

The Amazonian department of Putumayo exemplifies the dangers faced by environmental advocates due to its rich natural resources coupled with armed conflict and illicit economies. An anonymous defender described living under constant threat from illegal activities related to mining and drug trafficking.

Global Witness has documented over 2,250 killings and disappearances since 2012, with Latin America accounting for nearly three-quarters of these cases. The Escazu Agreement was established to protect environmental defenders but faces challenges regarding implementation across various countries.

In a related case, Julia Chuñil, a 72-year-old land defender from Chile advocating for Mapuche land rights over a disputed area known as Reserva Cora, has been missing since November after searching for lost livestock in the Valdivian forest. Her disappearance highlights broader issues faced by Indigenous activists who encounter violence when defending their lands against exploitation.

Chuñil's family has received threats following their advocacy efforts for justice regarding her case. Global Witness calls on governments to address impunity surrounding attacks on environmental defenders and improve legal protections for those at risk while emphasizing that effective investigations are necessary to bring justice in such cases and protect those defending their rightful lands from harm.

Original Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (colombia) (guatemala) (mexico)

The article provides a report on the violence faced by land and environmental defenders, particularly in Latin America. However, it lacks actionable information that readers can implement immediately. There are no clear steps, plans, or safety tips provided for individuals who might find themselves in similar situations or want to support these defenders.

In terms of educational depth, while the article presents statistics and highlights the disproportionate impact on Indigenous peoples, it does not delve deeply into the underlying causes of this violence or provide historical context that could help readers understand the complexities involved. It mentions factors like conflicts over natural resource extraction but does not explain how these conflicts arise or their broader implications.

Regarding personal relevance, the topic may resonate with those interested in environmental issues or human rights; however, it does not directly affect most readers' daily lives unless they are actively involved in advocacy work. For those who are not engaged in these areas, the article may feel distant and less impactful.

The public service function is minimal; while it raises awareness about a critical issue, it does not offer official warnings or practical advice that could assist individuals facing danger due to their activism. It primarily serves as an informative piece rather than a resource for immediate action.

The practicality of any advice is non-existent since there are no actionable steps outlined. Readers cannot realistically apply any guidance from this article because none is provided.

In terms of long-term impact, while raising awareness about violence against defenders is important, the article does not offer ideas or actions that could lead to lasting positive effects for individuals or communities affected by these issues.

Emotionally and psychologically, the article may evoke feelings of concern regarding human rights violations but lacks elements that empower readers to take action or feel hopeful about change. Instead of fostering resilience or motivation to engage with these issues constructively, it primarily highlights a grim reality without offering pathways forward.

Finally, there are elements of clickbait as the dramatic statistics and descriptions aim to capture attention but do not provide substantial solutions or deeper insights into how individuals can engage with this issue meaningfully.

To improve its value significantly, the article could have included resources for advocacy groups working on behalf of environmental defenders and suggestions for how ordinary people can support them—such as donating to relevant organizations or participating in local activism efforts. Readers seeking more information might look up reputable NGOs focused on environmental justice or follow news outlets dedicated to human rights reporting for ongoing updates and ways to help.

The text uses strong language to evoke feelings about the violence against land and environmental defenders. For example, it states that "at least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or went missing globally." The word "killed" is very strong and creates a sense of urgency and tragedy, while "went missing" is softer and less direct. This choice of words can lead readers to feel more emotional about the situation without providing specific details about what happened in each case.

The report highlights that Indigenous peoples face violence disproportionately, stating they represent "about one-third of all lethal attacks despite making up only approximately 6% of the global population." This wording emphasizes the severity of the issue for Indigenous groups but does not provide context on why this disparity exists. It could lead readers to focus solely on victimization without understanding broader social or economic factors at play.

The phrase “conflicts over natural resource extraction and land use” suggests that these are the main causes of violence against defenders. However, it does not explore other potential factors like government policies or corporate interests that may contribute to these conflicts. By focusing primarily on resource extraction, it simplifies a complex issue and may mislead readers into thinking this is the only reason for such violence.

The text mentions organized crime groups as suspected perpetrators but does not provide evidence or examples to support this claim. The phrase “suspected in many cases” implies wrongdoing without confirming any specific incidents or individuals involved. This can create a sense of fear around organized crime without substantiating those fears with concrete information.

When discussing the Escazu Agreement, it notes that some countries have ratified it but lacks full implementation across the region. The wording here suggests progress has been made but also highlights shortcomings in enforcement. This could lead readers to believe there is hope for improvement while also recognizing ongoing failures, which might dilute accountability for those who have not implemented necessary protections.

The report states that “activists emphasize that while progress is being made through grassroots efforts,” which implies a level of success in advocacy work. However, this statement lacks specifics about what progress has been achieved or how effective these grassroots efforts truly are. It could mislead readers into thinking significant advancements are occurring when they might be limited or localized efforts with little overall impact.

In mentioning Colombia as “the deadliest country,” followed by statistics from Guatemala and Mexico, there is an implicit comparison between these nations' situations regarding violence against defenders. While presenting numbers can inform readers, this framing may inadvertently downplay individual stories behind those statistics by treating them merely as data points rather than human experiences affected by systemic issues in each country’s context.

Overall, phrases like “much work remains” suggest ongoing struggles faced by activists yet do not detail what specific actions need to be taken for improvement or who holds responsibility for making those changes happen. This vagueness can leave readers feeling concerned but unsure about how they might engage with these issues meaningfully beyond awareness alone.

The text evokes a range of powerful emotions that contribute to its overall message about the dangers faced by land and environmental defenders. One prominent emotion is sadness, which permeates the report through phrases like "at least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or went missing globally in 2024." This statistic highlights the tragic loss of life, creating a sense of mourning for those who have died or disappeared while advocating for their communities. The strong presence of this emotion serves to elicit sympathy from readers, making them more aware of the grave risks these individuals face.

Fear is another significant emotion expressed in the text, particularly when discussing Latin America as "the most dangerous" region for defenders. The mention of Colombia being identified as the deadliest country with 48 killings instills a sense of alarm regarding safety in areas where people are fighting for their rights. This fear is further amplified by noting that Indigenous peoples face disproportionate violence despite being a small percentage of the global population. Such details are designed to provoke concern among readers about ongoing injustices and threats against vulnerable populations.

Anger also emerges subtly through phrases like "organized crime groups are suspected" in relation to violence against defenders. This wording suggests frustration with systemic issues that allow such violence to persist, prompting readers to feel indignation towards those perpetuating harm against innocent advocates. By highlighting these injustices, the text aims to inspire action and encourage readers to consider how they might support efforts toward change.

The writer employs various emotional tools throughout the report to enhance its persuasive impact. For instance, using stark statistics—like Guatemala's killings surging fivefold—creates an extreme portrayal that emphasizes urgency and severity. This technique captures attention effectively and underscores the need for immediate action or intervention from both local communities and international observers.

Additionally, phrases such as "grassroots efforts" convey hope amidst despair, suggesting that there are individuals actively resisting violence and advocating for rights despite overwhelming challenges. By juxtaposing moments of hope with stark realities, the writer balances emotions in a way that encourages readers not only to empathize but also inspires them toward advocacy.

Overall, these emotional elements work together strategically within the text to guide reader reactions—creating sympathy for victims while fostering concern over ongoing violence—and ultimately encouraging engagement with issues surrounding environmental defense and human rights advocacy. The careful choice of words enhances emotional resonance while steering attention toward critical social justice themes needing urgent consideration and action.