In Colombia, the intersection between the environment and food crises, land and territorial rights, peacebuilding and the energy transition is at the core of many organisations´ advocacy and rights work.
With its privileged location in the tropics and 41.8% of its territory in the Amazon, Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world. Its fertile lands, water sources, and minerals are extremely attractive to multinational companies. More and more, these companies are encroaching on the territories of Indigenous Peoples, afro-descendants and peasants, who have a profound historical connection to their land. Indigenous Peoples represent 4.4 percent of the population, speaking 69 languages, while 10.2 million people over 15 years of age recognise themselves as peasants and constitute 26% of the population and afro-descendants 10 percent.
In defending land, territorial and environmental rights, the leaders of indigenous, peasant and afro-descendant organisations are often victims of persecution, harassment, and attacks. In fact, Colombia is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for human rights defenders. In 2023, 181 activists and human rights defenders were murdered.
