Stay up-to-date with Trócaire's work overseas, get news on key global social justice issues, and find out about our latest campaigns in Ireland and how you can get involved.
Across the world, there are some businesses willing to make a profit at any cost. Through corruption, intimidation, violence and even murder, they take land and natural resources from local communities. They are responsible for serious human rights violations. They push vulnerable communities further into poverty and despair.
In Honduras, where corruption and impunity is rife, indigenous communities have been pushed out of their homes and off their land. They have had their wood and water supplies stolen or destroyed by big corporations. They have been attacked and many within the community have been killed.
In Myanmar, significant water pollution caused by a large mining company has affected the health of local people, destroyed livelihoods and devastated nearby communities.
These communities face losing their land, their livelihoods and their loved ones as they struggle to hold on to what is theirs.
But there are brave women and men – human rights defenders – standing up for their communities. They are speaking out against the acts of these powerful corporations.
Through our new campaign, Defend the Defenders, we share the stories of courageous people who risk their lives every day to defend human rights.
In an attempt to silence the defenders, violent attacks, intimidation and false imprisonment are on the rise. But it doesn’t stop there. Many are murdered.
In fact, last year was the deadliest year on record for human rights defenders across the world. 207 activists were killed for attempting to protect their communities, land and the environment from exploitation and human rights abuses.
Despite the growing risk, these courageous women and men are still willing to challenge these injustices and continue their important work.
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We are calling for an International Treaty on Business and Human Rights. We need a Treaty which will hold private companies accountable and protect those who defend affected communities.
The Irish public can play an important role. As well as standing in solidarity with the human rights defenders, you can sign our petition and help put pressure on the Irish and UK governments to take action.
As one defender said: “It really motivates us to know that there are countries, like Ireland, who care about what is going on here and the fair cause we are fighting for. The fact that there is solidarity is important to us – we know then that the fight is not in vain and it is not one that we have to fight alone.”
