February 04, 2012
  
  • Promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights defenders since 1981
International
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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.

Our impact during 2010

1,685 days of physical accompaniment, 2,000 visits and meetings with human rights defenders, 1,000 meetings with international and regional authorities and organisations, protection and support to 170 women and 197 men human rights defenders from 49 organisations. Read more about our impact during 2010...

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.

About PBI

PBI is an international NGO that has been promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights since 1981.

Our work is based on the principles of non-partisanship and non-interference in the internal affairs of the organisations we accompany.

We believe that lasting transformation of conflicts cannot be imposed from outside, but must be based on the capacity and desires of local people. Therefore we do not take part in the work of the organisations we accompany. Rather our role is to open political space and provide moral support for local activists to carry out their work without fear of repression.

Our unique access to information and our objectivity increases our credibility with all parties to the conflict and gives us access to authorities nationally and internationally.

Vision and Mission

PBI envisions a world in which people address conflicts non violently, where human rights are universally upheld and social justice and intercultural respect have become a reality.

History

The idea to start Peace Brigades International came from people with practical experience of nonviolence. Especially relevant was the earlier work of the Shanti Sena peace army in India and the World Peace Brigades.

Protective accompaniment

Protective accompaniment is a strategy pioneered by PBI for protecting human rights defenders and communities whose lives and work are threatened by political violence.

How we work

Our work is based on the principles of non-partisanship and non-interference in the internal affairs of the organisations we accompany. We make decisions by consensus.

News from PBI

What they say

"I feel that without PBI, we could not work effectively."
Jufri, head of SPKP-HAM

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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