India, Oct. 9 -- Summary At least 146 land and environmental defenders were killed or disappeared in 2024, averaging three per week.

Latin America remains the most dangerous region, with Colombia leading in fatalities.

Trend points to rise of alternative silencing tactics like abductions, highlighting need for governments to strengthen legal protections for defenders.

At least 146 land and environmental defenders disappeared or were killed in 2024 - an average of three every week, showed a new report.

The Defenders Annual Report 2025 Roots of resistance was published by Global Witness, an investigative campaigning organisation on September 17, 2025.

From 2012 to 2024, the some 2,253 defenders were killed or went missing, according to...