"Governments and business must stand up for land and environmental defenders now, so that they can help build a more resilient and fair future for us and our planet", 07 May 2020

...The impact of COVID-19 on global health and financial systems will ripple for decades... [W]e’re committed to being part of the movement for a more resilient planet going forward. This includes standing up for land and environmental activists. States and business must do the same. Indeed it is in their interest to do so. It is widely recognised that deforestation and the loss of wildlife are two key contributors to the rise in infectious diseases. In order to avert a future pandemic, decision-makers will need to listen to those...  taking a stand to protect nature... 

As is the case for other types of human rights defenders, threats and attacks against land and environmental activists have not slowed in this COVID-19 crisis period. In fact, they appear to have accelerated. From Colombia to Niger, to Indonesia, the Philippines and beyond...Indigenous peoples are on the front lines of the battle to avert climate breakdown. However, they are also disproportionately vulnerable to COVID-19...  In the short term, governments and business should:

•  Use public and private communications to emphasize that the role of land and environmental defenders is as important as ever and that reprisals against them will not be tolerated.
• Dedicate resources to identifying increased reprisals-related risks across investments, operations and supply chains, and take action to prevent and mitigate any risks identified, and to support land and environmental defenders globally.
• Use secure channels to ensure that information on the environmental or human rights impact of potential business projects reach those affected, allowing them the opportunity to engage in decision-making in a safe way.
• Commit to putting land and environmental rights, and those who protect them, at the centre of any response to COVID-19...