News · 5 March 2022
Panel: Experiences from the front line. The environmental defenders who change the world
Human rights defenders who fight for their land and environmental rights live under constant pressure, and the struggle has never been more dangerous. Colombia tops the world statistics for killings of environmental defenders, with 65 killings in 2020. In Indonesia, Indigenous Peoples and other environmental defenders are criminalized, attacked and threatened for opposing, among other things, mining and palm oil companies. Although the situation in Norway is less violent, several common features can be seen between the Norwegian and the international environmental struggle, including the way the environmental and cultural rights of the Sami People are threatened by capitalist forces.
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund and Mental Health and Human Rights Info invite you to a panel conversation discussing the Norwegian and international environmental struggle, with experiences from Indonesia, Colombia and Norway. How can environmental defenders in different parts of the world work together to defend the environment, and what do their different struggles have in common?
Program:
Introduction by the Norwegian Human Rights Fund
Video statements from Indonesia and Colombia:
- Muhammad Azka Fahriza, researcher on environment and human rights, Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy (ELSAM), Indonesia
- Ginny Medina, environmental defender, Asociación de Cabildos Indígenas del Municipio de Villagarzón de Putumayo (ACIMVIP), Colombia
Panel conversation between:
- Lasse Eriksen Bjørn, project manager of the Arctic and Environment Department, Saami Council
- Nora Sveaass, PhD in psychology and chair of the board of Mental Health and Human Rights Info
- Moderator: Lillian Bredal Eriksen, senior advisor on climate and food security, Forum for Development and Environment
The conversation will be in Norwegian, with video statements subtitled in English.
Duration: 60 min
Originally published by Fondo Noruego para los Derechos Humanos (FNDH) in 2022 (event of March 5, 2022)
