May 21, 2012
  
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Our volunteers accompany human rights defenders in conflict areas

PBI has been promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights since 1981.

PBI's volunteers embody international concern for human rights on the ground.

PBI has protected the lives of hundreds of activists: our accompaniment creates space for local activists to work.

In 2011 PBI worked with more than 350 inspirational women and men prepared to put their lives at risk to defend the rights of others. Read more about our work with these courageous individuals in our 2011 Annual Review...


PBI celebrates 30 years protecting human rights

Since 1981, PBI has helped hundreds of communities and thousands of people in 11 countries by protecting human rights defenders who tirelessly work in pursuit of justice for the victims and survivors of violence, displacement and repression

We send international volunteers to areas of conflict, providing protective accompaniment to human rights defenders threatened by political violence. We also facilitate other peace-building initiatives.

We are nonpartisan and do not interfere in the affairs of those we accompany, because we believe that a lasting peace cannot be imposed from outside but must come from the desires of local people.

>> PBI's anniversary conferences
>> Timeline - 30 years of PBI
>> PBI's founding statement from 1981
>> More about PBI...

Field Projects

PBI's recent exploratory fieldwork has examined the needs of human rights defenders in Honduras and Africa.

Our volunteers are currently protecting human rights defenders in:

Publications

Providing objective, accurate information is vital to ensuring the effectiveness of our work locally, nationally and internationally.

Country Groups

The commitment of volunteers and staff from PBI Country Groups makes our projects possible.

Find out more about Country Groups and how you can get involved locally.

People we protect

From women's groups in Colombia to indigenous groups in Papua, we accompany a wide variety of threatened activists worldwide. Learn about their courageous struggles for human rights against heavy odds.


Bearing Witness - a short film about PBI

This five minute film produced by Alan Ereira for PBI UK is an excellent short introduction to the work of PBI and how protective acompaniment works to protect human rights defenders who are threatened with violence. Watch the video.

News from PBI

What they say

"PBI is quite different from most other international NGOs I have come across...PBI safeguards rights on the front line by risking their own most basic rights: right to life, dignity and liberty of person."
Wimal Fernando, Sri Lanka

Help PBI protect more Human Rights defenders - donate today...

Keep in touch

            

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Latest publications


PBI Annual Review 2011

PBI Annual Review 2011 (pdf 1.6 MB)



MIP 100 January 2012

Our Monthly Information Package for January, details the activities of PBI during the month (including all meetings with national authorities, civil society organisations and the diplomatic corp).

MIP 100 January 2012 (pdf 241 KB)



Bulletin 24 - 2nd of 2011

Pre-trial custody and criminal justice procedures: three people from San Juan Sacatepequez deprived of liberty for almost three years - Follow up to the Community Consultation in Sacapulas, Quiché.

Bulletin 24 - 2nd of 2011 (pdf 1.4 MB)



ColomPBIa no 18: Mining in Colombia - At what cost?, November 2011

ColomPBIa no 18: Mining in Colombia - At what cost?, November 2011 (pdf 2.5 MB)



Bulletin 31 - Undermining the Land, November 2011

Over the previous year, profits for mining rose to 15,474 million US dollars, 51% more than in 2009. Since then, Mexico is also the world’s top producer of silver. These figures are in contrast with the situation of campesino and indigenous communities affected by mining exploitation and exploration activities. In this publication, PBI gives a voice to the human rights defenders who are faced with big economic interests and who are fighting for their right to the land and to a clean environment.

Bulletin 31 - Undermining the Land, November 2011 (pdf 4.2 MB)



PBI Nepal Impunity Publication - May 2011

The culture of impunity in Nepal related to conflict-era crimes continues and affects present-day access to justice. There is an absence of rule of law in many areas and rising insecurity as a result. Human rights defenders working against impunity or within this environment are made vulnerable. Here PBI-Nepal's partners and volunteers describe the situation and the effects on human rights defenders.

PBI Nepal Impunity Publication - May 2011 (pdf 2.6 MB)



ColomPBIa no 17: Gold fever in Northeast Antioquia, March 2011

ColomPBIa no 17: Gold fever in Northeast Antioquia, March 2011 (pdf 1.7 MB)



Bulletin 20 - 1st of 2010

'States of prevention: a solution or a cause of violence?', 'Women, land and territory', 'Major development projects in Chiquimula' and news from the Guatemala Project.

Bulletin 20 - 1st of 2010 (pdf 2.2 MB)



Namaste 06 July 2010 - English

In this 6th issue of Namaste PBI wishes to bring your attention to the topic of discrimination in Nepal. Despite improvements in the Interim Constitution of 2007, discrimination is still present in many laws.

Namaste 06 July 2010 - English (pdf 812 KB)



Quarterly Bulletin June 2010

Obituary Emmanuel Goo - Introduction to the Jakarta/Papua dialogue - The Jakarta/Papua dialogue; an interview with Muridan Widjojo from LIPI - The Jakarta/Papua dialogue; an interview with Neles Tebay - The Jakarta/Papua dialogue; an article by Matius Murid - The Jakarta/Papua dialogue; an article by Deacon John Djonga- The EU Guidelines for the safety of Human Rights Defenders an Indonesian approach - The implementation of the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders an opportunity and a challenge - A former volunteer returns: an interview with Gerrit Meyer - Staff profile: an interview with the IP International Volunteer Coordinator

Quarterly Bulletin June 2010 (pdf 549 KB)


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International Office, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT, U.K. Tel: +44 20 7065 0775
To find your nearest PBI office visit the international contact page