River communities’ rights are deeply entwined with the environment. The fragmentation, over-extraction and pollution of river systems threatens fundamental rights to water, food, housing, health, livelihoods and culture.
Large dams have a particularly troubled human rights record: According to the World Commission on Dams report, they:
…forced some 40-80 million people from their lands in the 20th century. Legions of dam refugees – largely indigenous, tribal and peasant communities – have been economically, culturally and psychologically devastated. Millions have suffered from the diseases dams bring, and an estimated 400-800 million people have faced downstream changes.
Our Work to Protect Human Rights
Around the world, environmental defenders face growing threats to their lives and safety. We work with community leaders, women, indigenous peoples and civil society activists to draw attention to these threats, support their efforts to protect their lands and waters, and plan for a just energy transition.
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Latest News
- Global Letter Writing Campaign: Stand with Bach and Climate DefendersJune 24th, 2024 marks the third anniversary of the wrongful arrest and imprisonment of environmental lawyer and climate justice advocate, Dang Dinh Bach, on trumped-up charges and under harsh and … Read more
- PRESS RELEASE | Biocultural Community Protocol (BCP) of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Angola and Namibia (the Ovahimba) gives recognition to Indigenous PeoplesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 12, 2024 Karipetua Uarije, representative of the OvaHerero Biocultural Community Protocol Custodian Committee, kuarije@yahoo.com Natasha Prince, Natural Justice, natasha@naturaljustice.org Siziwe Mota, International Rivers, smota@internationalrivers.org Opuwo, Namibia – … Read more
- PRESS RELEASE | Historic Asia Women and Rivers Congress Unites Over 125 Women Leaders Calling for Equity and JusticeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 10, 2024 Congress photos here MEDIA CONTACTS: Lin Hnin Aye, Oxfam, lin.hninaye@oxfam.org + 95 9 761 994118 Bonnie Barclay, International Rivers, bbarclay@internationalrivers.org, +1 323 363 … Read more
- Introducing the 2024 Asia Women and Rivers CongressOver 120 women leaders will join together next week for the Asia Women and Rivers Congress. The Asia Women and Rivers Congress will bring together women leaders from riverine and … Read more
- Apple Urged to Address Climate Justice Concerns in Vietnam by 60+ Organizations Around the WorldFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2024 CONTACT: v4climateleaders@gmail.com More than 60 human rights and environmental organizations from around the world, including 350.org, Global Witness, EarthRights, International Rivers, Project88, Global Network … Read more