Killed for speaking up: UN sounds alarm over attacks on environmental defenders

His appeal came in remarks to the first-ever European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders held in Strasbourg, France, where he warned that the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average, with increasing floods, shrinking glaciers and heatwaves.

"Extreme weather kills thousands of Europeans every summer," he said. "Across the continent, 95 per cent of urban residents breathe unsafe air, and more than 80 per cent of habitats are in poor or bad condition."

Activists under threat

Mr. Türk praised defenders of the environment who speak up, mobilise and take concrete action to protect the planet, communities and democracy.

"The environmental justice movement is a powerful human rights alliance uniting science, law, ethics, philosophy, and art - an alliance that cannot be defeated in a fair contest," he said.

"That is why some of its opponents resort to brutal and dishonest measures. They kill, abduct, detain, and weaponize laws meant to protect people's rights."

Hundreds killed, disappeared or detained

The High Commissioner said his Office, OHCHR, has recorded nearly 600 environmental and land defenders killed or disappeared worldwide over the past three years.

"In at least 55 countries, they have been detained for their activism," he added.

He noted that while "many European countries pride themselves on ambitious climate and environmental goals," new laws criminalizing peaceful protest are still being enacted.

"It is shocking that people defending our children's future are prosecuted under laws designed to fight terrorism and organized crime," he said.

"I urge all Governments to ensure the safety of environmental defenders and accountability for all abuses."

He also called for authorities to respect court rulings and establish a stronger regional protection system for environmental defenders.