BANGKOK - At least 212 people were killed last year while defending their land from being taken over by industry, Global Witness said on Wednesday , the deadliest year since the advocacy group began compiling data in 2012.
"Land and environmental defenders play a vital role in protecting climate-critical forests and ecosystems. When they take a stand against the theft of their land, or the destruction of forests, they are increasingly being killed," she said. Many more were attacked, arrested, threatened and sued, said Global Witness, which recorded killings in 21 countries.
The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the"downward spiral of the human rights situation", and a new anti-terrorism bill could be used to target activists, they said.
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