The Facts
According to a report released on Wednesday, India, Brazil, Mexico, and Cambodia are among the most dangerous places on the globe for human rights defenders.
As per the report, published by the UK-based Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, Brazil topped the list with 63 attacks recorded against activists in 2022, followed by India with 54 and Mexico with 44 attacks in the same year.
The Spin
Narrative A
This scale of attacks against activists shows that governments worldwide are failing to protect their countries' human rights. Multinational corporations should not be threatening the health and safety of political activists who have a thorough knowledge of the interworkings of local contexts, human rights, and environmental risks. Instead, they should partner with these activists and utilize their expertise for good.
Narrative B
Although nothing justifies unprovoked attacks, global activists should not be generically portrayed as a force for good, especially when many of them face accusations of spreading dangerous misinformation about the establishment. Unfortunately, they usually rely on tactics that are hard to police without limiting free speech or taking administrative action. As they increasingly become the most dangerous spreaders of misinformation stoking opposition to critical developmental projects, it is imperative to dispel lies and protect stability in countries across the world.
