The Data Working Group

The Data Working Group is a group of national and global data collectors of attacks on defenders. We have come together to reduce fragmentation of data and to create a global consolidated database of lethal and non-lethal attacks faced by Indigenous, Land and Environmental Defenders (ILEDs).

Our hope is that our data will help the creation of stronger protection protocols, create demand for governments to better protect defenders, require businesses to put in place appropriate safeguards for defenders, collectives and communities, and support civil society actors who are addressing root causes of these threats and attacks.

We further hope to support the advocacy targets of ALLIED through sharing and analyzing the data we collect. Apart from uniting our own data, we also monitor government reporting on attacks on defenders.

Hidden Iceberg

A combined dataset produced by a group of local, regional and global data collectors, the groundbreaking report uncovers the hidden iceberg of non-lethal attacks against Indigenous, land and environmental defenders, as well as their organizations and communities.

The data reveals extensive patterns of violence that can precede the killing of these defenders.

Our data

All entries in the pilot global consolidated database are contributed by local, national or global data collectors who have verified the data using methods that include cross-checking public information sources (e.g. local or national media, urgent actions, social media), human sources (e.g. interviews with eye-witnesses, family members, colleagues, information from a local organization with direct access to the case, direct engagement with the targeted ILED, or official documents (e.g. court filings, police reports, official statements). You can access the simplified version of our Data Sharing Agreement which outlines the rules of how we share data here.

A Crucial Gap

While uniting civil society data efforts is important, the Data Working Group is concerned by the lack of government efforts to document attacks on land and environmental defenders. Of the 162 countries that have submitted Voluntary National Reviews of the Sustainable Development Goals since 2015, only 3 – fewer than 2% – indicated that at least one HRD had been killed or attacked. 7 countries reported zero cases and 94% of countries did not report at all. Given this gap, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights primarily relies on civil society data for SDG 16.10. reporting.

This landmark report highlights the limits of official reporting on the violence faced by defenders.

How We Work

How we will use the data?

To raise awareness together, to inform protection initiatives (Early warning system based on accumulation of data over time that shows trends and hot spots), for advocacy towards state and non-state actors, and to strengthen justice, access to remedy and accountability.

How we won’t use the data?

For rapid response funding allocations/strategies, for tracking individual defenders and interventions, or to provide access to private information, unpublished datasets or analysis to private companies or governments. You can access our full Baseline agreement here.