Economic & Social Rights

“The role of PBI accompaniment has been very important in various regions where we conduct field work. This support has allowed resistance and the defense of the rights of the peasant, indigenous and Afro-descendant communities that we accompany.  The accompaniment is essential because international presence becomes a deterrent and this has meant lives are saved.”

 - Father Alberto Franco, Inter-faith Justice and Peace Commission

“With the accompaniment of PBI, you create a particularly human bond that I consider valuable and important. Throughout the court hearings in the case of the businessmen in Curbarado and Jiguamiando PBI accompanied me permanently despite their lack of resources. I know they made a huge effort and I value that immensely, I insist. The success, in that case, is because of the communities, the lawyers, thanks to you.

“I think Peace Brigades plays a key role in saving the lives of those of us who do not believe in guns, those of us who do work that is frowned upon in this country. It is a guarantee for daily life; I feel very safe when I’m with Peace Brigades, they are like guardian angels to me. I really feel that the daily accompaniment lets me continue to pursue my work the way I do it; I feel much calmer.”

 - Claudia Julieta Duque, investigative journalist

On April 16th, the U.N. Security Council warned that “the Colombian peace process stands today at a critical juncture.” In his remarks before the Security Council, U.S.

March 19, 2019

In the first four months of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s term, which began on December 1, 2018, at least seventeen human rights defenders and journalists were murdered, an increase over last year’s rate. If killings continue at this rate, fifty-two defenders and journalists will be dead by the end of 2019.

Attacks on human rights defenders, journalists, and others exercising their right to free speech in Honduras have increased in the first months of 2019. Below are some selected incidents illustrating a trend toward a continued closing of space for dissent.

April 11, 2019

April 5, 2019

“Our lives are confined, we cannot leave, the illegal armed actors are disputing our lands, and those who speak out or try to speak out become military objectives.”

March 8, 2019