Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on the killing of Lesbia Yaneth and Jo Cox

We mourn the death on 7 July of Lesbia Yaneth, environmental activist in Honduras and member of the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (Copinh). Her murder closely follows that of her compatriot and colleague Berta Cáceres, for her role as indigenous leader, environmentalist and defender of human rights and a fellow Copinh member, Nelson García. They join the growing list of women and men attacked for their political beliefs and public profile across the world, including the recent deadly attack on Jo Cox, a British Member of Parliament who was shot and stabbed to death in the United Kingdom on 16 June. She was a tireless campaigner for women’s rights around the world and outspoken advocate on humanitarian issues, peace and equality. Read More…