Climate Defenders gathering: Towards a consolidated strategy

Fifty climate defenders and activists from 23 countries gathered in Curitiba, Brazil from February 5th to 8th to share the stories of their struggles and to build a stronger community of climate defenders. 

Everywhere climate defenders are facing threats, intimidation, and increased repression as they protect the planet from destruction. In most cases, the fossil fuel industry is responsible for the most severe and disturbing violations of human rights. This gathering provided a space to share experiences, skills and tactics and build a coherent strategy for reacting to crisis moments, including increased visibility, communications strengthened leadership, rapid response and building alliances of legal support.

African representatives at the gathering shared the most common threats they are confronted with, including intimidation by government officials and police, restricted movements and surveillance, forced removal of communities and sometimes verbal abuse by being labelled for instance as ‘anti-development’  activists.  They denounced the fossil fuel companies working hand in hand with corrupt politicians, security forces and sometimes private militia in perpetrating such disturbing violations of human rights and freedom.

During the gathering, 350.org launched the Climate Defenders report on Human Rights Abuses by Fossil Fuel Companies. The report highlighted some specific cases from Africa where companies such as Shell in Nigeria) and Amu Power in Lamu (Kenya) are involved. The report shows successful strategies that activists are taking to fight these cases.

By targeting the fossil fuel industry, climate activists are attacking directly the heart of the climate crisis. They are not only defending life and nature but also pushing back the increased repression on civil society groups while exposing the liability of the fossil fuel industry in human rights abuses. 

Among the proposed solutions to strengthen their fights, participants at the gathering suggested cross-regional solidarity between countries with common struggles, working on the existing protocols to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensuring greater connections between climate activists and the wider human rights defenders community.


Author: Christian Hounkannou, 350Africa Francophone Field Organiser.