Brussels, 08/01/2019 –

In August 2018, Earth Rights Defenders, Not1More (N1M) and Cambodian Youth Network hosted the Forest Defenders Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with more than 90 defenders and allies in attendance.

This conference came together as a response to the closing of political space and the growth of impunity in South East Asia. The conference also reflects the frustrations felt by civilians and civil society organisations as defenders in the region face criminalization, violence and threats.

The result of this conference was the Environmental Defenders Declaration for South East Asia, a declaration which offers concrete recommendations to governments, the private sector, UN, international finance institutions, and civil society to address the crisis of violence against civilians who take action or resist evictions and dispossession of their lands, forests, seas and rivers.

By adding our name to this Declaration, we support the protection of defenders in South East Asia as they campaign to safeguard their communities and environment.