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A treaty aimed at protecting activists in Latin America could be a "life-saving" watershed in a region where scores are murdered each year, but the pact's success will depend on the commitment of governments and big business, say rights advocates.
Nicaraguan activist Lottie Cunningham, who described the Escazu treaty as "extremely important", has come to expect death threats and online abuse as she fights mining and agriculture projects on indigenous land in the Central American country.
"We have suffered intimidation, harassment and death threats defending indigenous rights, and mother earth and its natural resources," said Ms Cunningham, an indigenous lawyer. "It's virtual warfare. 'War means blood' was one of the messages I received on Facebook," said Ms Cunningham, who heads the Center for Justice and Human Rights of the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua.