"Sen. Cardin introduces landmark human rights defenders legislation that will help counter authoritarianism and the climate crisis", 31 January 2024

...EarthRights International Senior Policy Advisor Kirk Herbertson released the following statement: 

“We applaud Chairman Cardin and Rep. McGovern for introducing the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act. The U.S. government – including both Democratic and Republican administrations – has a long history of supporting human rights defenders, but these efforts have been largely reactive and ad hoc. As attacks against human rights defenders grow in number and sophistication, the United States needs to adopt a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to supporting defenders who risk their safety and lives to defend democracy, human rights, and the environment. Our government needs to consider these brave individuals when it makes decisions on economic diplomacy, security assistance, climate change, and other top foreign policy priorities. 

“Attacks on human rights defenders, particularly those who speak out against extractive industries such as logging and mining, have increased in recent years. Some 401 human rights defenders were killed in 2022 compared to 358 in 2021. Each year, thousands face assassinations, arbitrary detention, torture, criminalization, and threats to their families and friends, all for speaking out on issues that affect their lives and livelihoods...