PBI-Guatemala accompanies Indigenous territory defender Lesbia Artola now facing threats of criminalization
Article by PBI-Canada
Land and Environmental Defenders
Many indigenous and traditional farming (or campesino) communities are struggling to protect the land on which their livelihoods depend. Often living in conditions of extreme poverty, they rely on their land for food, shelter, and cultural identity. In some cases, pollution from mining threatens to seep into the land and water. In others, communities have been forced from their land for development projects or monoculture plantations, condemning them to internal displacement and landlessness. Others campaign for sustainable land use, seeking to halt patterns of destruction for the benefit of future generations.
Defenders of land rights, culture, and natural resources can find themselves facing powerful interests and brutal opposition. Some have approached PBI for protection after they have been attacked or their colleagues assassinated. Many others have been subjected to criminal prosecutions based on spurious charges.
Defending the Earth continues despite Coronavirus
On 22nd April this year, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the theme is climate action. In order to celebrate this day, PBI draws attention to the plight of environmental defenders who put their lives at risk to protect their territories from economic projects that destroy ecosystems and instigate irreversible damage.
PBI-Guatemala provides vital contextual updates and telephone accompaniment during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project has posted numerous articles on its Facebook page about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Guatemala.
PBI supports environmental defenders and commemorates Earth Day
Today, 22nd April 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day.
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.