Para información del lanzamiento global en castellano, siga aquí.
Protection International (PI) warmly invites you to the online global launch of our latest publication, A Critical Approach to the Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders.
Amidst the triple planetary crisis, environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs)—especially Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities—are on the front lines, confronting corporate harm and advocating for environmental justice. This vital research defines what a safe and enabling environment for EHRDs should look like, arguing for a situated, intersectional approach that goes beyond immediate security measures.
Join us to explore the core arguments of the report, which highlights that the most effective protection strategies are collective, centered on psychosocial support, positive narratives, and networks. As governments and businesses often fail to protect people and the planet, this research emphasizes that defending EHRDs is crucial for securing our collective future.
The seats on our virtual panel will be filled by UNSR on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor, Thai environmental HRD Jutamas Srihutthaphadungkit, and Kenyan environmental HRD James Wakibia. Each will bring their perspective on how to foster a critical environment for the protection of EHRDs, from an institutional and grassroots stand point. With an opportunity for participants to submit questions, we look forward to your participation in this essential discussion.
- Date: 25/03/2026
- Time: 10:00 Brussels / 12:00 Nairobi / 16:00 Bangkok
- Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/bMI_OvqJSB209zSJJ7GRWA
The publication will be available, by the launch date, in English, French and Spanish.
Our Panelists
Jutamas Srihutthaphadungkit – Thailand
Jutamas (Ying) is a young Woman Human Rights Defender and Youth Movement Leader from Thailand, focused on environmental justice.
Ying plays a crucial leadership role, coordinating the Campaign for Public Policy on Mineral Resources (PPM) and serving on the Steering Committee of the Thai NGOs Coordination Committee. She is also a leading member of the Network of People Who Own Mineral Resources, a nationwide alliance resisting harmful extractive projects across Thailand.
Her work is informed by lived experience on the frontline of struggles where communities confront powerful corporate and political interests. Representing a new generation of leadership, Ying bridges grassroots organising, democratic activism, and emerging legal expertise.
Note on accessibility: Ying will speak in Thai during the event. Thai–English interpretation will be provided.
James Wakibia – Kenya
James Wakibia is a Kenyan environmental photojournalist and campaigner with over a decade of experience documenting and advocating against environmental harm.
His work focuses on critical issues such as plastic pollution, microplastics, asbestos, textile waste, illegal dumping, open burning, and littering. Through powerful visual storytelling and advocacy, he has played a key role in campaigns calling for stronger environmental protections in Kenya, including the ban on single-use plastics.
Wakibia uses photography and public engagement to raise awareness about the impact of plastic waste and other pollutants on ecosystems and communities, while actively contributing to global efforts such as the #PlasticsTreatyNow campaign.
Mary Lawlor
Mary Lawlor is the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. She took up her post in May 2020 and will finish at the end of April this year.
She is the founder and former Executive Director of Front Line Defenders, and an Adjunct Professor of Business and Human Rights in the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), School of Business, Trinity College Dublin.