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ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: guarantee space for action and security situation of defenders of land, environment and indigenous territories

ON INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY: guarantee space for action and security situation of defenders of land, environment and indigenous territories

Peace Brigades International (PBI) in Honduras want to recognize and support the work of defenders of the land, territory and the environment and their essential role in a context marked by the humanitarian crisis generated by COVID-19 and the passage of hurricanes ETA and IOTA. The defence of forests, water sources, and access to land as a source of livelihood all contribute to the responsible governance of land distribution on a community level, the prevention of natural disasters like and the global fight against climate change. However, defenders of the territory constantly face attacks, processes of criminalization, prosecution and defamation, and violent evictions. Honduras is considered the most dangerous country in the world (per capita murder) for people who defend these rights, becoming more serious if the defender is a woman. We are especially concerned about the recently approved normative and legislative framework on agrarian matters and the effects that this will have on the defense of these rights, with special attention to women. Specifically, the approval of the Honduras Agricultural Development Program (PCM-052-2019) and the consequent militarization of the countryside; and PCM-030-2020 and the concession of idle and ejido lands to large agro-industrial companies.