“The Land of Our People, Forever”
United States Human Rights Violations against the Numu/Nuwu and Newe in the Rush for Lithium

People around the world increasingly experience the devastating effects of environmental crises – from extreme weather, food insecurity, and health issues linked to water and air pollution, to the loss of land, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Inadequate regulation and enforcement of environmentally destructive sectors of the economy – including agricultural commodities, mining, and heavily polluting fossil-fuel industries – drives human rights violations. Governments still fall short of urgent and ambitious actions to keep global warming below 1.5 degree Celsius and prevent further devastation to the global environment. The primary victims of environmental harm are often impoverished and marginalized communities with limited opportunity to meaningfully participate in decision-making and public debate on environmental issues, and have little access to independent courts to achieve accountability and redress. Activists and ordinary citizens defending their rights to land and the environment face intimidation, legal harassment, and deadly violence. Human Rights Watch champions human rights law to force governments to protect people and prevent corporations from continuing to cause extreme environmental degradation.
United States Human Rights Violations against the Numu/Nuwu and Newe in the Rush for Lithium
Smaller Buffer Zones Would Further Reduce Protection from Exposure
Toxic Air Affects Health in Surrounding Community
Insights From Health Workers in Oregon State
Court to Hear Appeal of 16 Environmental Protesters
Countries Should Step Up International Cooperation, Domestic Climate Action
Safeguard Rights of Indigenous Communities Facing Climate Crisis
Hearings Begin in Advisory Opinion on State Obligations
Planned Fossil Fuel Project Threatens Human Rights, Drives Climate Change
Governments Should Deliver Ambitious Climate Action Plans, Ensure Fossil Fuel Phaseout
Smaller Buffer Zones Would Further Reduce Protection from Exposure
European Parliament Risks Undermining Groundbreaking Legislation
Governments Should Ensure Fossil Fuel Phaseout, Civil Society Participation
Congolese Coalition, International Partners Call for Permanent Cancellation