AFRICAN ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS A Natural Justice Initiative
Supported by the International Land Coalition
AFRICAN ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS
African Environmental Defenders play an important role in protecting their lands and ecosystems from unsustainable industrial development, logging and extractive projects. However, the nature of their work can expose them to significant risks because of the political and monetary powers they stand up against.
Recent reports have consistently affirmed the rise of a “global crisis” of indiscriminate attacks against environmental and human rights defenders, especially indigenous peoples and women. Global Witness, through a report released in 2017, established that 207 land and environmental defenders were killed while fighting to secure their lands and territories of life. The ever-increasing incidents of attacks against environmental defenders is proof of the need to protect defenders who, individually or with others, risk their lives in the struggle for their lands and natural resources.
“Global Witness, through a report released in 2017, established that 207 land and environmental defenders were killed while fighting to secure their lands and territories of life. “
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS KILLED IN 2017
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMERGENCY FUND
THE EMERGENCY FUND
Against the backdrop of the challenges faced by African Environmental Defenders, and the dwindling civic spaces in most African countries, the International Land Coalition (ILC) and its members have expressed their commitment towards protecting environmental and land defenders.
To achieve this goal, the ILC has established the ‘African Defenders Emergency Fund’ to support environmental and land defenders who find themselves in emergency situations due to the nature of their work. Starting from 2019, Natural Justice will administer this fund on behalf of ILC, in conjunction with a Committee of five members. The Committee’s core mandate is to carry out various responsibilities under the fund, including making decisions on which cases qualify for the provision of emergency support.
‘The “African Defenders Emergency Fund” has been established to support environmental and land defenders who find themselves in emergency situations due to the nature of their work.’
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A NATURAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE
Natural Justice: Lawyers for Communities and the Environment is a young and fast-paced non-profit organisation specialising in environmental and human rights law in Africa – in pursuit of social and environmental justice.
As a team of pioneering lawyers and legal experts we offer direct support to communities impacted by the ever-increasing demand for land and resources, conduct comprehensive research on environmental and human rights laws and engage in key national and international processes.
African Environmental Defenders is a Natural Justice Initiative which is supported by the International Land Coalition (ILC).
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ILC MEMBERSHIP
SUPPORTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL LAND COALITION (ILC)
The ILC is a global alliance of civil society and intergovernmental organisations working together to put people at the centre of land governance. The shared goal of ILC’s over 200 members is to realise land governance for and with people at the country level, responding to the needs and protecting the rights of women, men and communities who live on and from the land.
African Environmental Defenders is supported by the ILC.
