Peace Brigades International UK

🍃 Our new report, “The Case for Change: Why human rights defenders need a UK law on mandatory due diligence”, highlights six powerful case studies from #Colombia, #Honduras, #Indonesia & #Mexico. Human rights defenders speaking out against corporate abuse shouldn’t face violence and intimidation. Their communities deserve access to justice. These accounts reveal human rights and environmental violations linked to UK businesses. In each case, those who raised concerns were attacked - facing threats and violence. Some were even murdered. Yet accountability for these injustices remains glaringly absent. Human rights defenders like Indigenous leaders, trade unionists and environmental activists are agents for change in their communities and potential allies for many of the UK’s foreign policy goals. They are being smeared, imprisoned and killed as a consequence for doing the right thing. This report underscores an urgent need for a UK law on mandatory business due diligence. We can’t ignore the role that UK-linked businesses should play in preventing these violations. It’s time to protect the defenders who safeguard communities and ecosystems from corporate harm. Stand with us in calling for accountability and safety for those on the frontlines. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dMPktDqV   #bizhumanrights #HRDs

🌍 Apply by February 15th to accompany defenders in #Guatemala today! ✊ Are you passionate about human rights, peace building, and a commitment to nonviolence? As a Peace Brigades International Volunteer, you’ll immerse yourself living and working as part of a committed team working to support and protect those creating change on the frontlines. 🔑 Requirements: -Must be a national of a country other than where you volunteer.* -Proficiency in spoken, written, and read Spanish. -Commitment to non-partisanship, non-violence, and international solidarity. -Respect for social struggles and local leadership. -Availability for a minimum 12-month commitment. 🟢 To learn more about who we accompany read more here: https://lnkd.in/dwzE3338 🟢 To apply and learn more about the process of becoming a volunteer read more here: https://bit.ly/3ZXfkTj

🎤 Our conversation with #Colombian human rights defender Sebastián Escobar is out now! 🇨🇴 Sebastián is a lawyer working with the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CCAJAR) an organization who has fought for human rights for decades despite facing increasing threats for their work. ⚖️ Sebastián along with CCAJAR work supporting the documentation of crimes committed by members of police and armed forces including the arbitrary detention and extrajudicial execution of civilians were reported as members of illicit groups killed as a result of armed confrontation. These cases have come to be known as “#falsepositives” and are deemed as crimes against humanity. 🇬🇧 While in the UK, Sebastián garnered support for the case against the ex- president Alvaro Uribe Vélez for these crimes by use of Universal Jurisdiction in which the Argentinian courts may prosecute Alvaro Uribe Vélez with crimes against international law to provide justice to the 6,400 victims of false-positives in Colombia. 🔎 Read the full interview by our Program Fellow Yadira Sánchez-Esparza here: https://bit.ly/49Jrtyy ✍ Sign the public petition here: https://lnkd.in/dsv-uJBQ

🌍 End-of-Year Reflection: Standing with Human Rights Defenders 🌟 As 2024 wraps up, we reflect on a year of impactful actions at PBI UK. From advocating for corporate accountability to supporting truth and justice efforts in Nepal, we've stood shoulder-to-shoulder with defenders worldwide. 📢 Highlights: Welcoming Indigenous and Afro-descendent leaders to the UK to advocate for their rights. Publishing “The Case for Change”, a report calling for a UK law on mandatory due diligence. Contributing to transitional justice advancements in Nepal with human rights defenders Mandira Sharma and Gita Rasaili. 💖 Thanks to your generous support, our Big Give campaign surpassed £20,200, enabling us to continue amplifying defenders' voices in 2025. 📖 Read more about how we're driving change: https://bit.ly/3DiV4md

💡 Your chance to support human rights defenders and gain invaluable experience! Peace Brigades International (PBI) is recruiting field volunteers for its Guatemala team. 🌍 Applications are open until February 15th—this is your opportunity to make a tangible impact while working alongside communities fighting for justice, equality, and peace. As a PBI field volunteer, you'll: ✅ Provide protective accompaniment to at-risk individuals and organizations. ✅ Work on critical issues like land and environmental rights, women’s and LGBTQI+ rights, and access to justice. ✅ Be part of an international, diverse team using consensus decision-making and non-violent resistance. 📋 What you need: 🔹 High level of spoken, written and read Spanish. 🔹 A commitment to volunteering for 12 months. 🔹 Passion for human rights, non-violence, and international solidarity. 💻 Find out more and apply today: https://bit.ly/4fizYSd

We're delighted to announce that Stephen Cragg KC of Doughty Street Chambers has joined us as Coordinating Ambassador of our new Ambassadors Network. https://lnkd.in/eh7T46Bk

💫 The Impact of International Legal Delegations: Strengthening Human Rights in Guatemala and Nepal 💫 🗨️ In 2023-24, high-level international legal delegations, co-designed with local rights holders, visited Guatemala and Nepal. The visits provided critical solidarity and legal expertise to human rights defenders, while catalysing broader changes in the rule of law. The impact? ➡️ Prevented targeted attacks on defenders. ➡️ Strengthened support networks. ➡️ Triggered long-term systemic changes. This article explores how collaboration can drive justice and sustainable change. Read more: https://bit.ly/3BoMmCf

❤️ To everyone who gave to our #ChristmasChallenge, we want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU! Your support is not just a donation; it is a powerful statement of solidarity with the human rights defenders we provide protection, training & advocacy support to around the world. ✊

👀 RECOMMENDED READING! 🗣️ This #HumanRightsDay, Sharan Srinivas of Open Society Foundations makes the case that protecting #HumanRightsDefenders should be a cost-effective and impactful pillar of the UK's climate & foreign policy. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCJREeWz MORE: 📑 "The new UK government must step up in the fight to protect front line defenders", Ben Leather - https://lnkd.in/ekrWn2ri 📑 "The Case for Change: Why human rights defenders need a UK law on mandatory due diligence", PBI UK - https://lnkd.in/dFqzrN-T

🌎 ✨ Honouring Women Human Rights Defenders on Human Rights Day ✨ 🌏 This Human Rights Day, Peace Brigades International celebrates the remarkable courage of women who are driving change and defending our freedoms, planet, and dignity. For over 40 years, PBI has stood by Women Human Rights Defenders (#WHRDs), ensuring they can continue their vital work safely and effectively. Today, PBI is spotlighting three inspiring women leading the fight for environmental justice:  🌱 Yuli Velasquez – Championing her community in Colombia: bit.ly/3OOLFp2  🌳 Jani Silva – Protecting the Amazon with unwavering determination: https://bit.ly/3ZMYPcc 🌏 Maritjie Kailey – Standing strong for her land and her people: https://bit.ly/4gpKM1Z These defenders remind us that a better, more just future is possible—but we must act. Let’s amplify their voices, support their struggles, and commit to justice and sustainability for all. To every woman human rights defender: thank you for your courage and vision. You inspire us every day. #HumanRightsDay