May 25, 2013
  
  • Promoting nonviolence and protecting human rights defenders since 1981
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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 2012 PBI worked with more than 300 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 2012 Annual Review...
Out now: 2012 Annual Review


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.

Make a difference

Help us protect more human rights defenders this year.

News from PBI

What they say

"...I, too would like to pay tribute to the work of Peace Brigades International and to the bravery of the volunteers. Through their work, they are able to provide the sort of protection in Choco, Urabá and elsewhere that the armed forces cannot provide."
Tony Lloyd (Ex-Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Government

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Latest publications


Special report on impunity

Silence-Impunity-Conflict: breaking a dangerous cycle

Special report on impunity (pdf 1.3 MB)



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)



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)



PBI Annual Review 2011

PBI Annual Review 2011 (pdf 1.6 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)



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)



Honduras - the defence of human rights: a high-risk activity

Honduras - the defence of human rights: a high-risk activity (pdf 2.4 MB)



Dignas: Voices of Women Human Rights Defenders in Mexico, March 2012

Dignas: Voices of Women Human Rights Defenders in Mexico, March 2012 (pdf 5.1 MB)



ColomPBIa no 19: Peace initiatives in Colombia, November 2012

ColomPBIa no 19: Peace initiatives in Colombia, November 2012 (pdf 0.9 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)


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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