(Ecofin Agency) - 2016 was particularly harsh for land activists, according to a report recently released by the human rights defense organization Global Witness.

The document indeed states that, about four people defending their lands were killed each week, last year, be it against mining, hydroelectric or agricultural projects. Overall, 200 people were murdered in this framework in 2016. This is 10% more than 2015’s 185 victims.

In sight of this, the report concluded that violence against those protecting their land rights is not only growing in number but in space as well, as such killings in 2016 were recorded in 24 countries, as compared to 16 in 2015.

South America was the most hit by the phenomenon, totaling 60% of the casualties worldwide. Two also died in South Africa, under the same circumstances.