JOINT PRESS RELEASE: 25 October 2021
On Friday, 22 October, in remembrance and support of environmental activist and campaigner, Fikile Ntshangase, a group consisting of environmental justice activists, NGOs and community members, from the area surrounding a controversial coal mine, marched on the anniversary of her murder. The march was in support of the #DefendTheDefenders and #JusticeForFikile movement.
On that day one year ago, Fikile Ntshangase, was assassinated in her home in Northern KwaZulu-Natal by three unknown people. No arrests have been made to date. Fikile was a prominent member of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organization (MCEJO), who are currently opposing the extension of Tendele Coal mine in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We won’t solve the climate crisis without protecting the defenders – and we can’t protect the defenders if murders go unpunished. Accountability for those who ordered this killing won’t bring justice for Fikile or her family, but it would go some way to preventing further violence against protectors of the earth, and therefore to preventing climate breakdown.” Kirsten Youens, Attorney and Executive Director at ALL RISE, attorneys for climate and environmental justice.
This day saw the call by climate change NGO’s who are urging the South African Government to commit to protecting those who are exercising their constitutional right to a healthy environment.
This would include:
- Providing adequate policing and security for those at risk.
- Respecting and prioritising the principle of free, prior and informed consent in all community land rights issues.
- Ending South Africa’s economic reliance on coal mining.
- Ensuring that those responsible for the murder of Fikile Ntshangase are brought to justice and held accountable.
- Taking bold actions to give prompt and real effect to our constitutional right to a healthy environment.
While this talks to South Africa, the problem is a global one. Last year, Fikile was one of 227 people around the world who lost their lives in 2020 defending their homes, their land and livelihoods, and the ecosystems we all depend on.
“The structure of the economic model inherited from the colonial system of extractivism especially in mining is increasingly bringing to the fore the role of business in human rights violations and the increasing threats to Human Rights Defenders working on land, environment and indigenous communities. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels brings the dilemma posed by the mining/energy matrix that translates into tremendous pressure on our environment and our climate as well as on land, environmental and indigenous defenders. We predict escalation in Southern Africa.” Arnold Tsunga – Chairperson for Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network.
In a live webinar discussion on Friday, hosted in support of #DefendtheDefenders, one of the panelists, Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury commented, “The climate crisis is not just one problem. We are dealing with a host of moral crises. If we cannot learn to treat our environment ethically, we cannot treat one another ethically.”
Please join the movement in celebrating the lives of defenders like Fikile and demanding justice on the hashtag: #DefendtheDefenders & #JusticeforFikile.
ENDS
Joint Press release by:
- All Rise – Attorneys for Climate and Environmental Justice
- Global Witness
- MCEJO – (Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation)
- Global Environmental Trust
- Environmental Defender Law Center
- groundWork
- Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network