How criminalisation is being used to silence climate activists across the world

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🗞️ Driving the news: Governments worldwide are intensifying crackdowns on climate activists and environmental defenders
• Grassroots advocates, climate experts, and UN representatives have reported systematic criminalization and vilification of those peacefully protesting for environmental causes

🔭 The context: As the climate crisis grows more urgent, new forms of non-violent activism are becoming increasingly popular, with groups like Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain demanding government action on environmental issues
• However, various governments have begun to take legal action against them by charging them with, for example, subversion, illicit association, terrorism or tax evasion

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The heightened restrictions and criminal charges against climate activists are seen by many as attempts to silence and discredit them
• This trend challenges democratic values, freedom of speech, and the global effort against climate change, irrespective of a country's political structure or professed commitment to environmental protection

⏭️ What's next: As grassroots opposition to fossil fuel initiatives and other environmentally harmful projects gains momentum, governments may continue to harden their stance against protesters
• The international community's response, or lack thereof, to this trend will be vital in determining the trajectory of both environmental activism and the global approach to climate change

💬 One quote: “These defenders are basically trying to save the planet, and in doing so save humanity. These are people we should be protecting, but are seen by governments and corporations as a threat to be neutralised.” (Mary Lawlor, the UN special rapporteur on human rights defenders)

📈 One stat: In the US, 21 states have passed critical infrastructure protection laws since the Standing Rock protests, leading to the arrest of dozens of activists in recent years

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