Human rights

Land rights are human rights. When land rights are insecure, people are at risk.
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Policies changed

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Agendas

In today’s world, being a land and environmental defender can be dangerous, even fatal.

In 2023, our data indicates that more than 1,500 land rights defenders suffered non-lethal attacks in two countries alone.

And although the number of defenders killed yearly is alarming, their story is only the tip of the iceberg.

What we often don’t see is what happens before we get to the point of no return.

Many violations are invisible, and the situation is set to become worse as competition for access to natural resources and land grabs intensify against a backdrop of extreme global inequality.

On the front lines against land grabbing, resource extraction, exploitation and pollution are ILC members and their partners who face threats, criminalisation, violence, and killings.

There has never been a more critical time to protect land, environmental rights, and the people who put their lives on the line to defend them.

Read the policy brief on criminalisation of defenders by Land Rights Now

( PDF 1.0 MB )

CLAIMING FREEDOM IN NEPAL

“After my emancipation, I wanted to focus on the education of my children. Now that my two sons are employed and earning for themselves, it is a great source of pride” - Chandra Ram Lohar

“THIS IS NO LONGER YOUR LAND”

There is a parallel war raging in the West Bank, says Abbas Melhem, Executive Director of the Palestinian Farmers' Union

Read the interview

THE ILLUSION OF ABUNDANCE

New documentary, co-produced by ILC, pushes European Parliament for action around land and environmental defenders in Latin America

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Global and regional initiatives

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Defending Land and Environmental Defenders Coalition

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LED EMERGENCY FUND

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INICIATIVA PROTECCIÓN DE DEFENSORES

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Land Rights as Human Rights in Asia

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ILC

#Indigenous Peoples #Indigenous peoples #5. Secure territorial rights for indigenous peoples #Kenya #OPDP

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ILC

#Asia #Nepal #CSRC

Photo Essay

Claiming Freedom in Nepal

17 February 2021

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ILC LAC

#Peru #10. Protection for land rights defenders #Latin America & the Caribbean #Land rights defenders

Maasai in Tanzania
ILC

#Rangelands #Indigenous Peoples #3. Diverse tenure systems #5. Secure territorial rights for indigenous peoples #10. Protection for land rights defenders #9. Effective actions against land grabbing #Human Rights

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ILC

#10. Protection for land rights defenders #Land rights defenders

Press Release

We condemn the murders of two women human rights defenders in Guatemala

9 May 2023

We condemn the murders of two women human rights d

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ILC

#SHARAKA #PFU #ACAD #PARC #Palestine #Conflict resolution

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ILC

#Human Rights #Latin America & the Caribbean #10. Protection for land rights defenders

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ILC Asia

#Philippines #Asia #9. Effective actions against land grabbing #10. Protection for land rights defenders #CPA

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ILC Learning Hub

#Indigenous peoples #Indigenous Peoples #People's Data #10. Protection for land rights defenders #Briefs #ANGOC #CINEP #IWGIA #NATURAL JUSTICE

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ILC Learning Hub

#Land rights #Briefs #WRI #ANGOC #IWGIA #NATURAL JUSTICE #People's Data #CINEP #10. Protection for land rights defenders

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ILC Learning Hub

#COVID-19 #Human Rights #Briefs #Indigenous Peoples #resource #Global

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ILC Learning Hub

#Latin America & the Caribbean #Human Rights #Legal assistance, legal empowerment and access to justice #Advocacy & campaigning #1. Secure tenure rights #9. Effective actions against land grabbing #10. Protection for land rights defenders #Establishment and strengthening of local institutions #Research and training #Legal action #Civil society #Guatemala #Community empowerment #TRÓCAIRE

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ILC Learning Hub

#Latin America & the Caribbean #Human Rights #Land policy and multi-stakeholder dialogue #Land monitoring, indicators and alternative reporting #Advocacy & campaigning #Application of laws, guidelines & standards #10. Protection for land rights defenders #4. Equal Land Rights for Women #Research and training #Women's Land Rights #Advocacy #Colombia #Women's Land Rights #CINEP #Gender Justice

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ILC Learning Hub

#Global #Human Rights #Land monitoring, indicators and alternative reporting #10. Protection for land rights defenders #Project design and implementation support #TRÓCAIRE

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ILC

#9. Effective actions against land grabbing #10. Protection for land rights defenders #Asia #Land rights defenders #Land grabbing #Bangladesh #Cambodia #India #Indonesia #Nepal #Philippines #SDF #KPA #STAR KAMPUCHEA #CSRC #AR NOW! #ARBAN #XSF #ANGOC #CDA

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ILC Learning Hub

#Briefs #Global #10. Protection for land rights defenders #Land rights defenders