Colombian human rights defenders honoured with the 2026 Rafto Prize

The violence-ridden region surrounding the Atrato River is dominated by armed groups and organised criminal networks engaged in extensive illegal resource extraction. Despite the challenging conditions and considerable personal risks, CCGA has been at the forefront of the fight against environmental destruction and for human rights.

A life-threatening struggle to protect the river

Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for human rights defenders. In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in violence by armed groups and criminal networks targeting human rights defenders, with at least 1,500 killed since 2016.

Over the past decade, CCGA has worked tirelessly to monitor environmental destruction, educate affected communities and hold the authorities accountable. Through this work, CCGA exposes serious human rights violations that harm the environment, people's health and the lives of those living along the Atrato River.

– Caring for forests, rivers, and the land is caring for life itself: the life of human beings, non-human beings, and the spirits. For that reason, for us there can be no defense of human rights without the defense of nature, because only through care and reciprocity with nature will we have dignity and justice among us all, CCGA told the audience from stage.

Six representatives of CCGA received the Rafto Prize at Ole Bull Scene on behalf of the entire Colombian organisation. The organisation comprises hundreds of individuals who stand up for human rights at great personal risk, in a complex, violent and unpredictable social and political context.

“Every report is an act of courage”

Following the ceremony, the Rafto Foundation's student leaders delivered a powerful address to the crowd gathered outside Ole Bull Scene, urging the world to turn its attention to Colombia and the human rights violations committed against civilians living along the Atrato River. They highlighted the courage of the individuals receiving this year's Rafto Prize.

- Every sample collected, every meeting held and every report written is an act of courage, the student leaders told the large crowd that had gathered in solidarity with the Rafto laureates.

Hundreds of people took part in this year's torchlight procession in solidarity with the struggle for human rights in Colombia.