The Global Analysis 2025/26 report produced by Front Line Defenders and HRD Memorial has found: “At least 358 human rights defenders from 28 different countries were killed in 2025 in an attempt to silence them and put an end to their work.”
The data on the number of human rights defenders killed in 2025 includes: Colombia – 165; Mexico – 43; Palestine – 43; Brazil – 22; Honduras – 13; Guatemala – 10; Philippines – 4; Nicaragua – 3; Kenya – 3; Indonesia – 1.
The report adds: “At the time of publication, the HRD Memorial continued to research and conduct verifications on the additional killings of 119 individuals perpetrated in Bangladesh, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Ecuador, Gaza (Palestine), Iran, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Philippines, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Yemen.”
Canada
There are two references to Canada in the report:
CRIMINALISATION OF SOLIDARITY: “In Canada, such patterns were mirrored through courtordered precautionary measures restricting proPalestinian demonstrations in university spaces, as well as police raids and criminalisation campaigns against defenders linked to organisations stigmatised as ‘terrorist’ for their criticism of Israel. These practices contributed to a chilling effect on proPalestinian human rights work, discouraging defenders from engaging in legitimate advocacy.”
RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION: “In June, Bill 5 (Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act) was approved by the Ontario Government despite widespread condemnation by environmental, indigenous and labour rights defenders. Bill 5 could open the door to the designation of the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich region in Northern Ontario, as a ‘special economic zone’, ignoring environmental regulations, bypassing First Nations and increasing the presence of extractive projects.”
Partners
The report also notes: “For 2025, the HRD Memorial has counted on the invaluable support of the following organisations and individuals to verify cases of killings of HRDs [including] Peace Brigades International (Nicaragua).”
To read the 84-page report, click here.
