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New accord to protect defenders of environment and human rights

The aim is to establish better networks of support worldwide for advocates and raise the pressure for perpetrators of violence and intimidation to be held accountable.

A march for the environment and climate action in Melbourne, Australia
A march for the environment and climate action in Melbourne, Australia (AN/John Englart)

Two United Nations agencies teamed up to adopt a new agreement to increase protections around the world for environmental advocates and their families whose actions have put them at risk of retaliation and violence.

Inger Andersen, who heads U.N. Environment, and Michelle Bachelet, who oversees the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, or OHCHR, announced on Friday they signed the agreement to better monitor and protect against global threats to environmental and human rights defenders.

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