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.

The violent crackdown on protestors in Kenya in 2024, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary detention, was a stark reminder that defending our rights comes with enormous sacrifices. We stand in solidarity with those who strive every day for a better world for all.

The growing disconnect between Kenyan political leaders and the citizens they serve, marked by a failure to listen, engage, and prioritize public interest, raises deep concern. Dive deeper into this and more in PBI Kenya’s 2025 Second Quarter Newsletter. Stay informed on everything PBI Kenya has been working on—check it out today! 

Around the world, human rights defenders are making significant strides in their pursuit of justice—for themselves, their communities and the planet. The protective accompaniment and multi-level advocacy of PBI can help to provide the security these defenders need to do their work, to catalyze meaningful progress, and to contribute to a more just world. Here’s a brief look at some inspiring recent wins from those we accompany.

Empowering Women Defenders to Win Landmark Cases on Sexual Violence

In our annual report “Peace in Action,” we announced the recruitment of Bill Eisenstein to the PBI-USA National Coordinating Committee (NCC), which serves as our board of directors. Within just a few months of Bill’s recruitment, two additional members joined our team. Read below to learn more about PBI-USA’s new board members and how you too can join our team to help support threatened human rights defenders around the world.

Ellen Furnari

In May 2024, Pat Davis completed her eighth and final year with PBI as the U.S. advocacy director. With a child going off to college, Pat and her husband now have the freedom to travel and engage in meaningful work in places near and far. We wish them safe travels and a lifetime of adventure as they continue to do good work around the world.

At the end of May, PBI-USA held a National Gathering, bringing together PBI field volunteers and staff (current and former), members of our growing National Coordinating Committee, multiple colleagues from PBI Canada, as well as PBI supporters for a weekend of reconnecting, reimagining, and recommitting to the work of PBI-USA.

The International Community must act to protect the Nicaraguan opponents exiled in Costa Rica

Geneva, June 23. The 46/2 Collective denounces to the international community the assassination of retired Nicaraguan Army Major Roberto Samcam Ruíz, which occurred on June 19 in his home in San José, Costa Rica.

On June 24, 2025, former PBI Colombia staffers Moira Birss and Zia Candler linked up to produce a very timely article on the power of international protective accompaniment.

Developed in Central America during the civil wars of the 1980s, accompaniment strategies show how movements can reduce authoritarian attacks and resist state repression.