So far , nine peoplehave been pop hear to protect their surroundings this year . In 2017 , that bit totalednearly 200 people . Since 2014 , when The Guardian beganreportingthis information , at least 117 people have been killed a year just because they think in clean air , clean water , and landed estate rights . Many of these killings take seat in Romance American country like Brazil and Colombia .
Now , Latin American and Caribbean government official are come together to unite their commonwealth under atreaty — the first of its variety — through the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean that would legally bind them to well protect these militant . Twenty - four countries are being constitute in Costa Rica , where they ’re attend a serial of meeting until March 4 , to negotiate the item of this agreement .
The goal , however , is bare : End these killings throughout this region .
“ This is a historic present moment for Latin America and the Caribbean , ” Carole Excell , the play music director for the World Resources Institute ’s Environmental Democracy Practice , told Earther . “ state in the area have an opportunity to pass a legally oblige environmental rights understanding that will not only assist preclude and penalize onslaught against environmental defenders , but also make it soft for millions of people to get at environmental information , participate in decision - making that affects their lives , and hold powerful interest to account . ”
The specifics have n’t been completely hash out yet , so we ’ll have to wait until Sunday to see what rural area wedge with the agreement when they see its final version . Mexico is already hesitant about signing anything that ’s de jure hold fast , Excell said . Chile is spearheading the effort , while countries like Peru and the Dominican Republic have indicated they ’ll sign .
Sticking point let in how “ human rights defenders in environmental thing ” is defined and whether the accord will mandate an autonomous citizens committee to hold administration accountable .
“ It ’s all about implementation , ” said Excell , who ’s see the encounter . “ That ’s why these provisions are still being negotiated this week . That ’s why we ’ll make a decision next workweek , and we ’re hoping it ’ll be a strong one . ”
If all goes as plan , more meetings will postdate the accord ’s signing . These will involve more talk about action and the steps required to start protecting environmentalists and forestall violence against them .
This issue has become much more urgent in light of thedeathof Berta Cáceres , an indigenous environmental activist in Honduras who was inject dead at her home in 2016 . Many of her Friend and household members accused the Honduran government ofconspiringwith her killers , which functionary have deny . That parent the question : How can these conservationist expect governments to protect them when they believe the government are involved in the killings ?
This has come up during the talks physical process , Excell tell Earther . Really , it hail down to how serious will these governments take threats to activist before a serious attack happen ? That ’s part of what these conversations and agreement will ultimately resolve .
If they succeed , perhaps other continent — like Africa or Asia , where these murders also happen all too oft — will follow suit .
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