Environmentalists in Colombia murdered for their struggle

The situation in Colombia is deadly, say women's rights activists and environmentalists Gloria Luna Rivillas, Elvira Jossa and Sandra Sáenz during a visit to Oxfam Sweden.

On October 30, prominent Colombian women's rights activists and environmentalists Gloria Luna Rivillas, Elvira Jossa and Sandra Sáenz visited Oxfam Sweden.

The situation of environmental defenders in Colombia is terrible and the three women are risking their lives to tell about the reality they live in. While the women were in Stockholm, during the night of Wednesday, October 30, five environmental defenders in Colombia were brutally killed."We pray for our friends who have had to sacrifice their lives for the right to their own land," said Sandra Sáenz, one of the women running the campaign for the rights of women environmental defenders.

During their visit to Sweden, Gloria Luna Rivillas, Elvira Jossa and Sandra Sáenz met with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We want to inform that big international companies, including Swedish companies, that are in Colombia are part of the problem," said Sandra Sáenz during the meeting with Oxfam Sweden.

"We want to inform you that large international companies, including Swedish companies, present in Colombia are part of the problem."

Sandra Sáenz, environmental and women's rights activist, Colombia

Oxfam is actively working for the Swedish government to take greater responsibility. This can be done by adopting legislation on corporate responsibility to human rights in Sweden and the EU.

"It is important that we listen and understand how serious the situation is for these women. But listening is not enough - Sweden and the EU must also show political courage and act. Adopting new legislation on corporate accountability is an important step, but it is also important that Sweden and the EU raise the issue of the situation of activists in the country in their dialogue with the Colombian government."

Hanna Nelson, Policy Officer, Oxfam Sweden

The women's rights activists want to raise awareness of the terrible situation in Colombia, share the Juntas somos Victoria campaign and gain public support for their struggle. Juntas somos Victoria, Together we are Victoria, is an Oxfam campaign to speak out about the current crisis. Portrait photos of already murdered environmental activists act as a filter for defenders who speak out about the situation. "The filter in your phone combines your own face with that of one of the murdered victims, making the person anonymous," says Gloria Luna Rivillas.

Since 2016, 344 deaths of human rights defenders have been recorded around the world. Along with Brazil, Mexico and the Philippines, Colombia ranks fourth on the list of the most dangerous countries in the world to be an environmental and land rights activist. Since the signing of the peace agreement in 2016, Colombia's territories have become an even more coveted asset. Women farmers and other local people are fighting to preserve the land, forests and biodiversity where they have lived for generations. For economic, legal and illegal reasons, armed groups are now willing to kill for them.

"The problem here is the land, the conflicts over the land. We women demand access to the land that is ours. It is for us, not an asset for companies. We don't use the land to sell, we use it to survive."

Female environmental defender, Colombia

These women are the real peacebuilders of the country, but receive no state protection. Unless they are consulted or urgent prevention and protection measures are taken, their lives remain in danger.

Juntas somos Victoria is a campaign supported by Oxfam and aims to empower and protect women defenders. The situation is urgent and Oxfam urges everyone to pay attention to the issue.