New report on the situation of environmental human rights defenders in Latin America

ESCR-Net's member Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA) and The Access Initiative launched in December 2016 a publication with case studies that look at "Emerging Practices by States to protect Environmental Defenders". These case studies were collected by civil society organisations in the Latin America and Caribbean region to inform the development of Negotiations on a Principle 10 Regional Agreement to increase transparency, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters which includes specific provisions to addresses the plight of environmental defenders.

According to the latest statistics on attacks, intimidation and murder of environmental defenders has been on a steady increase since 2010 (Global Witness).  This publication refocuses attention to national reform practices and helps the process of deliberation by Governments to seek to improve the enabling environment in which environmental defenders operate and direct protection measures.

The publication is available here.