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
- Women and Rivers Learning Paper: Lessons from Co-Creation of a Platform for Women in Water Governance in the Mekong RegionPublished in partnership with Open Development Mekong All over the world, women play a critical role in providing, managing and safeguarding water resources. Yet too often, governments ignore women’s lives and … Read more
- PRESS RELEASE | International Climate Justice and Human Rights Organizations Call on ADB President to Raise Alarms About Vietnam’s Commitment to A Just Energy Transition During Upcoming VisitMEDIA CONTACT: v4climateleaders@gmail.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2024 While Asian Development Bank (ADB) President, Mr. Masatsugu Asakawa, visits Vietnam next week from March 11-15, we urge him to sound … Read more
- PRESS RELEASE | Over 100 International Organizations Denounce Belo Sun’s Efforts to Criminalize Brazilian Land DefendersThe Canadian mining company Belo Sun is attempting to build the Volta Grande gold mine which, if built, would be the largest open-pit gold mine in Brazil. Instead of responding … Read more
- PRESS RELEASE | Vietnamese Climate Defenders Honored in New 1-Minute Video During Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New YearFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 9, 2024 #StandwithBach #FreeHong MEDIA CONTACT: maia@ripplestrategies.com www.standwithbach.org Please Share: English Version Here; Vietnamese Version Here Today, in time for Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year … Read more
- Press Release | COP28: Civil Society Groups Convene at COP28 to Demand Urgent Release of Vietnam’s Climate DefendersFor Immediate Release: 6 December 2023 Dubai, UAE – Following last week’s release of Vietnam’s Resource Mobilization Plan – an implementation plan detailing how the country intends to operationalize its … Read more