LRC: “A Deafening Silence” at COP17 Highlights the Justice Gap for Defenders

Silent protest at COP17. Photo: IR / IPRI.

The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), a Philippine rights organization, has shared an Instagram reel documenting a silent procession by Indigenous and environmental defenders at COP17 in Yerevan. Under the heading “A Deafening Silence at COP17”, its accompanying statement challenges the gap between biodiversity commitments and the protection of people defending nature.

Rights must become practical guarantees

LRC argues that the negotiations have not given sufficient attention to making free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) effective in practice. It also calls attention to grievance and redress mechanisms, access to justice and accountability for harms against defenders.

In the organization’s assessment, these safeguards are being pushed into the background while economic and financial disputes dominate negotiations. The silent procession gives visible form to concerns about shrinking civic space and the criminalization of Indigenous and environmental advocacy.

A concern that crosses borders

The post draws particular attention to the Philippines, describing the dangers facing environmental defenders and raising concerns about revised FPIC guidelines and Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination. These are concerns expressed by LRC in its statement.

For our campaign, this international solidarity connects with the COP17 action supporting Daria Egereva, Natalia Leongardt and other rights defenders. Our earlier report documents that connection; the LRC caption addresses the wider situation of defenders rather than naming the two women.

Watch the original video

Watch LRC’s reel and read its statement on Instagram. The post credits the video to Viacheslav Krechetov.

Its central question matters throughout COP17: how can biodiversity commitments be credible if the people protecting lands and ecosystems cannot participate safely and freely?