PBI-Colombia volunteer speaks about the continued accompaniment of human rights defenders during the COVID-19 pandemic
PBI-Honduras continues to accompany defenders and monitor human rights violations during COVID-19 pandemic
The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has affirmed on its Facebook page that despite the COVID-19 pandemic: “We continue with our work of accompanying national organizations and monitoring violations of human rights.”
PBI-Honduras notes CNTC’s opposition to new decree on food production approved during COVID-19 pandemic
On April 13, the Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project posted photos by the National Union of Rural Workers (CNTC) Secretary-General Franklin Almendars.
PBI-Honduras notes, “[Almendars] denounces that with the decree PCM-030-2020 recently approved by the government, businessmen are empowered to take charge of food production, putting aside small producers and the peasant communities.”
PBI-Mexico provides remote accompaniment and monitoring during COVID-19 pandemic
Article by PBI-Canada
On April 13, the Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project published and began circulating its April 2020 e-newsletter.
In it PBI-Mexico notes, “Like most of the organizations that we accompany in the country, we took strict confinement protection measures prior to the Mexican government decree of phase 2 of the pandemic and the declaration of a national health emergency.”
PBI-Kenya notes toolkit organizer Victor’s work distributing water containers during the pandemic
On April 13, the Peace Brigades International-Kenya Project posted, “WHRD Toolkit Organizers are supporting their communities to stay safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.”
They then introduce us to Victor, popularly known as V-slim, and note: “He goes door to door distributing water containers, food items. He also talks with the community on the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene and social distancing.”
Water is a human right and especially essential during the pandemic.
Mexican journalist Victor Fernando Alvarez killed, PBI-Mexico’s appeal for an improved protection mechanism for journalists
On April 11, Al Jazeera reported, “A Mexican journalist who disappeared more than a week ago in the southern state of Guerrero was found dead on Saturday, becoming the second journalist to be murdered this year in the country.”
“Forensic tests on human remains in the seaside resort of Acapulco were identified as belonging to Victor Fernando Alvarez, who disappeared on April 2.”
PBI-Kenya thanks Jecinter Agunja for distributing food and water in Mathare during the Covid-19 pandemic
On April 10, the Peace Brigades International-Kenya Project posted, “Jecinter Agunja is a Women Human Rights Defenders Toolkit Organizer from Mathare and a member of the Coalition of Grassroots Human Rights Defenders (CGHRD Kenya).”
PBI-Guatemala posts about webinar with women human rights defenders that included Lolita Chávez from TZ’KAT
On April 11, the Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project posted on its Facebook page an IM-Defensoras media release about a virtual meeting of women human rights defenders that took place on Monday, April 6.
PBI-Honduras notes environmental network’s concern about the dispossession of territories during the COVID-19 pandemic
On April 9, the Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project posted on its Facebook page a 4-page statement from the National Coalition of Environmental Networks and Organizations of Honduras (CONROA).
The Honduran Centre for the Promotion of Community Development (CEHPRODEC), which is accompanied by PBI-Honduras, coordinates the national coalition.
A Message of Solidarity
As part of our global network of activists, you are not alone. In this time of uncertainty, fear, and instability, Peace Brigades International USA extends our support to those of you struggling to remain optimistic in this challenging time.