Land and water defenders are under attack!

46% of all human rights defenders murdered globally in 2022 were in Colombia

We’re delighted to share the wonderful moments from our recent gathering with Berenice Celeita, a renowned human rights defender from Colombia. On October 30th, at Amnesty International Canada, we had the privilege of hosting an insightful in-person conversation where Berenice shed light on human rights issues in Colombia and around the world.”

A heartfelt thank you to all those who joined us for this evening of education, advocacy, and support. Your presence and engagement made this event a great success. We look forward to more impactful discussions and opportunities to work together for positive change.

“EDC ( Export Development Canada) is a Canadian government agency that supports Canadian businesses in international trade. Amnesty International has expressed concerns about EDC’s financing of projects with human rights and environmental issues and called for stronger standards and assessments.”

“The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who ‘disappeared’. That’s what the candle is for.”  – Peter Benenson, founder of Amnesty International

For the 186 land and water defenders murdered in Colombia in 2022, we light a candle for you.

Have a moment to help this campaign? Copy the text above and email it to Export Development Canada’s CEO at mlavery@edc.ca. Have more time to commit? JOIN US!

Our correspondence with Export Development Canada can be found here:

• Letter to raise awareness of the situation in Colombia from Amnesty volunteers sent on 20 FEBRUARY 2023
• Response from EDC received on 16 MARCH 2023
• Official request from Amnesty volunteers to have EDC change their position on Colombia sent on 28 JUNE 2023.
• Rejection of EDC to change their position on Colombia received on 20 SEPTEMBER 2023

Media inquiries: media@amnesty.ca (416) 363-9933 ext 344