Global Climate Legal Defense
Climate love
Climate love
Weston Wilson
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Report: The Dangerous Live of Climate Defenders
Around the world, activists and advocates involved in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation are being targeted by powerful corporations and their government allies. The tactics include audits, surveillance, frivolous lawsuits, criminal charges, and even physical violence to stifle opposition. These climate defenders come from all walks of life. Their work is not only crucial for environmental protection but also for human justice, and their plight must not go unchallenged.
Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef) is an organization providing legal support to these defenders, helping them navigate the legal challenges posed by powerful actors seeking to protect fossil fuel investments. I want to send CliDef this climate love for their recent report urging public awareness and support to ensure these advocates can continue the fight for a sustainable future.
The report highlights 11 stories of extraordinary courage in the face of tremendous adversity:
Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira, Brazil
A prominent human rights lawyer and climate activist in Brazil, Nicole Figueiredo de Oliveira is known for her fearless efforts to combat fossil fuel expansion and protect environmental rights. As the executive director of Arayara, she has faced harassment and the threat of imprisonment, and yet she remains resolute in her fight against corporate exploitation in her country.
Sleydo' Molly Wickham, Canada
Wing Chief of Cas Yikh, a house group of the Gidimt’en Clan of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, Sleydo' is a dedicated land defender leading the fight against a pipeline that would her community's sovereign territory. Undergoing a violent raid, arrest, and degrading treatment by law enforcement, she remains resolute in her mission to uphold Wet’suwet’en law, protect her people's land, and advocate for future generations.
Mugaruka Katembo Rodrigue and Bahati Lukoo Emmanuel, Democratic Republic of Congo
Courageous park rangers unwaveringly committed to conservation, Mugaruka and Bahati have risked their lives to protect the sanctity of Virunga National Park. Despite torture, assassination attempts, and ongoing legal battles brought by corporations and government officials, both men remain steadfast in their mission to safeguard this jewel of biodiversity.
Maha Ahmed, Egypt
As a human rights lawyer and member of the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF), Maha has faced intimidation, threats, and surveillance. After being abducted by the police, threatened with sexual assault, and threatened with arrest, she went into hiding and later sought asylum in the UK. Nevertheless, she continues to advocate for justice, believing in the power of collective action to bring about change.
Ritwick Dutta, India
An internationally celebrated environmental lawyer, Ritwick shifted his focus from fighting poaching to advocating for the rights of local communities affected by environmental exploitation. Despite baseless accusations and an invasive raid on his organization, he draws strength from the communities he represents to carry on the fight.
Alfred Brownell, Liberia
A prominent environmental lawyer from Liberia, Alfred fought against land grabs and deforestation by helping Indigenous communities halt destructive palm oil projects. After surviving a harrowing assassination attempt and escalating threats from the government, he was forced to flee to the U.S., where he continues to advocate for climate defenders worldwide as CliDef president.
Alejandra Ancheita, Mexico
Second-generation human rights lawyer Alejandra Ancheita directs ProDESC, an organization founded to defend land rights and advocate for marginalized workers, particularly women. Going up against a powerful mining company brought surveillance, death threats, and smear campaigns, but her commitment to justice endures as she leverages public awareness in a country whose legal system is rife with corruption.
Anabela Lemos, Dipti Bhatnagar, and Erika Mendes, Mozambique
Key figures in Justiça Ambiental (JA!), Mozambique's leading environmental justice organization, this family's dedication to activism spans three generations. Despite enduring a physical assault on a family member, personal harassment, and legal threats, they remain united in their commitment to defending communities and natural resources.
Jerielyn Navarro and Derek Cabe, Philippines
Jerielyn and Derek stand at the forefront of resisting coal and nuclear projects that threaten fishing communities in the Bataan province. Facing down legal intimidation, constant threats, and the murder of a close fellow activist, they continue to organize in defense of their land and livelihoods.
Anthony Odur and Peter Aranaintwe, Uganda
Dedicated human rights lawyers, Anthony and Peter bravely support climate defenders in the shadow of credible threats of violence. Although they are among the only ones in the region willing to do this work, they carry on out of a deep-rooted sense of responsibility toward the vulnerable communities they serve.
Sarah Benn, United Kingdom
Sarah is a medical doctor and climate activist whose commitment to environmental justice has brought significant personal and professional consequences, including a five-month suspension of her medical license due to her protest activities. Unswayed by jail time and institutional pressure, Sarah maintains that the climate crisis is a public health emergency that compels her to fight for a better future.
Safeguarding climate defenders is crucial to combating climate change and advancing sustainable global community. As such, governments must acknowledge their role in protecting these advocates. To that end, CliDef calls for a few commonsense-but-powerful actions:
*The implementation of legislation against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP)
*The establishment of official mechanisms to hear complaints from and offer support to persecuted
defenders
*The recognition of the role of corporations in weaponizing the law against climate advocates
*The provision of dedicated resources for legal defense and safety by climate funders
As this report makes clear, protecting those who fight for the climate is crucial to ensuring the vitality of the movement. Defenders willing to risk their livelihoods and safety deserve our recognition and support.
They've shown up for their communities and the planet, so we must show up for them.
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All these amazing people deserve climate love 💚 without our climate defenders we are nothing
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We should highly condemn this senseless killing and call for justice for all the other environmental and climate change activists who’ve sadly lost their lives while defending the integrity of our environment and planet. This is a stark reminder to me how recently some activists from Uganda and Tanzania were threatened due to their protest against East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) mission that could displace hundreds from their ancestral lands, as well affect wild animals routes of their migration. Here is link-:) https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/19/climate-protesters-demonstrate-against-east-african-pipeline-project// Still it reminds me how a strong activist was killed over here Kenya 3 years ago for defending a forest that some senior politicians and some companies were targeting the forest to built the skyscraper buildings, we protested widely until the president of that time and government intervened.... But her justice is not yet served so far. Here is news about her demise. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/16/environment-activist-shot-dead-outside-nairobi-home-after-death-threats Activist needs to be protected by the governments of their country, etc. We have the right to air our voices against what we believe is wrong!
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This is great.activists should be protected by all means as they fight for what's importance for us all.
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Hats off to ClifDef for standing as the last line defense for the climate defenders who are harassed in all manner of ways for protecting nature.
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Climate defenders face grave dangers as they stand up against powerful interests to protect the environment. From physical threats to legal harassment, these individuals risk their lives to safeguard the planet. Their unwavering dedication and courage deserve recognition, as they inspire others to join the fight for a sustainable future.
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@walter_lungayi This is true and a major call to the judicial system to be just and protect this climate defenders and jail all those harassing this great countrymen.
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Thank you ClifDef for being a beacon of hope and support in the fight for a more sustainable and just future!