Peace Brigades International extends our deepest condolences on the passing of Colombian human rights defender Yanette Bautista. Yanette was a dedicated human rights defender and the founder of the Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation (FNEB), which she founded in memory of her sister, Nydia Erika Bautista, who was forcibly disappeared in 1987.
On September 1, 2025, the Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation posted on social media:
“With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our director and Woman Seeker, Yanette Bautista.
Her life was a beacon of dignity and resilience. She bravely paved the way for hundreds of Women Seekers to embrace the fight for truth and justice, instilling in each one the strength to never give up.
Yanette dedicated her life to the search for the disappeared and to the tireless defense of the rights of Women Seekers. Her voice, her steps, and her example will forever remain in our memory and in our struggle.
Today we reaffirm our commitment to honor her legacy, to continue demanding truth and justice for all the disappeared, and to protect the women who, like her, have given their lives to the search in Colombia.
We extend our love and solidarity to her family in this moment of profound grief.”
PBI-Colombia also posted on social media:
“From Peace Brigades International – Colombia Project, we express our deep sorrow for the passing of Yannette Bautista, a renowned human rights defender who founded the @fundacionnydiaerikabautista (FNEB) in honor of her disappeared sister, and whom PBI-Colombia has had the honor of accompanying since 2007.
Yannette dedicated her life to the search for truth, the fight against impunity, and the dignity of victims of enforced disappearance in Colombia. Her tireless struggle, marked by love, resilience, and hope, leaves an indelible mark on the processes of historical memory and the defense of human rights in the country.
Today we join in the grief of her family, her comrades in struggle, and all those who had the privilege of knowing her and walking by her side. Her legacy will continue to be a light and guide for those of us who believe in a more just and humane world.
We stand with the Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation in this difficult time, reaffirming our commitment to solidarity and support.
Thank you, Yannette, for your example of dignity and courage. Your voice and your struggle will live on.
Peace in your memory.”
Read below to learn more about the work of the Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation and their fight for a comprehensive law protecting women seekers in Colombia. In 2023, PBI Colombia accompanied Yanette to the U.S. on an advocacy tour to bring attention to disappearances in Colombia and the need for a comprehensive law (pictured above).
– PBI-Colombia accompanies Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation at meeting on rights of women searchers with Ombudsman (June 5, 2025)
– PBI-Colombia accompanies the Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation as implementation of Women Searchers Law faces delays (March 23, 2025)
– “As a collective, we want to turn our pain into rights” – Yanette Bautista of the “Nydia Erika Bautista” Foundation (October 23, 2024)
– PBI-Colombia accompanies the Nydia Erika Bautista Foundation as Comprehensive Law on the Rights of Women Searchers receives Senate approval (April 5, 2024).
– “We Don’t Do This Work Because of an Ideology, We Do It Out of Love, A Love That is Politicized & Has a Social Conscience”: Yanette Bautista (Jan 31, 2019).
We at Peace Brigades International extend our condolences to the family, friends and allies of Yanette Bautista.
