A new report has found 2017 was responsible for the highest number of environmental activism deaths in a calendar year on record.
The deaths - 207 in total - equate to nearly four people murdered each week.
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At least 207 activists were killed last year according to UK-based Global Witness, a non-governmental organisation that aims to expose corruption and environmental abuse.
Brazil, Philippines and Colombia listed as the most dangerous for activists. Brazil saw the highest number of deaths, with 57 people killed - accounting for more than a quarter of all murders globally.
Global Witness reported that it was also the year that saw the most massacres involving environmental activists ever, with seven cases of four activists being killed at once.
In one of the cases reported, Hernan Bedoya from Colombia was shot by a paramilitary group 14 times for protesting against palm oil and banana plantations expanding over his community's territory.
Established in 1993, Global Witness primarily focuses on human rights abuses and confronting environmental corruption.
Watchdogs are pleading for better support and protection for human rights of activists.
Newshub.
