2021 in review

Dec 20

Written By PBI UK

The past year has been turbulent, to say the least.

The global pandemic has fundamentally changed the lives of billions and will continue to do so for some time. Though some are now looking to a life beyond COVID-19, the virus remains a significant threat to life for many, particularly where vaccine supply is low, infrastructure is lacking, and restrictions are extreme.

We are also at a precipice point with regards to the climate - a heartbeat away from global devastation that will hit the most marginalised first and hardest. Human rights defenders are the ones working hardest to solve these issues, under the most challenging circumstances. We take solace and strength from the fact that every day more people and communities are rising up and demanding change.

Despite the trying circumstances, the capacity and resilience of human rights defenders have been a great inspiration. Human rights defenders have taken on new roles advocating for, educating, and supporting their communities and stepping in when the state could not, or would not, provide for the most marginalised. They have quickly adapted to the changing landscape, finding opportunities to digitally connect with international networks in new and deeper ways than ever before and to cross paths with their peers across continents to share knowledge and express solidarity.

PBI UK has been there every step of the way. We are honoured to defend the defenders, and to contribute towards building a greener, fairer planet. Our work is only possible because of the generous support of people up and down the country who believe in the work of human rights defenders worldwide.

Read on for highlights from PBI’s work in 2021, and view our annual report below.

Read our accounts and report

Defending the Rule of Law: Costs and Privileges

To commemorate Day of the Endangered Lawyer we reflected on the privileges that lawyers in the UK enjoy and put a spotlight on the human rights lawyers paying a higher price to defend the rule of law around the world

Calling on the UK government put HRDs front and centre of foreign policy

In February, jointly with Amnesty International and other peers, we launched a new report on the situation of at-risk human rights defenders around the world, and how the UK government can help. We are calling for new cross-departmental, gender-responsive strategies that prioritise support and protection for human rights defenders.

Celebrating the work of Kenyan women human rights defenders

In the urban settlements of Nairobi, women human rights defenders are organising themselves to reach out to the most vulnerable women in the community. With the support of PBI, they are developing new strategies to tackle the problem at its roots, expose violations and protect the community.

A clean, green, fair energy revolution

On Earth Day, we honoured those defending the planet and protecting our future - environmental rights and climate justice activists.

In this blog, learn more about the hidden impacts of a solar panel project in Honduras, and how we can ensure that the transition to clean energy is fair.

Police militarisation

The past decade has seen an intense militarization of police forces around the world. In Colombia, late April and early May saw tens of thousands of people take to the streets to demand change. The demonstrations were violently repressed across the country, with President Iván Duque calling for military presence in urban settlements. PBI was there to support human rights defenders in their peaceful protesting.

The militarization of police forces is of incredible concern - particularly when we see impunity for police-led human rights abuses. Human rights defenders are taking a stand and calling for demilitarization.

This year, we worked to support the Kenyan social justice centre movement, and the incredible defenders working to end police violence.

Pride in Comayagüela and Tegucigalpa

Honduras has been named the most dangerous country in Central America for members of the LGBT+ community.

PBI are honoured to stand alongside Arcoíris, a leading LGBTQI+ organisation in Comayagüela and Tegucigalpa.

Despite the many dangers that Donny Reyes and his team face, since 2003 they have been committed to defending and promoting the rights of the marginalised.

Searching for the disappeared

Nearly 100,000 people are missing in Mexico, unclaimed in morgues, lying in clandestine graves, or otherwise disappeared without a trace.

In the absence of official efforts, human rights groups such as Paso del Norte Human Rights Centre and Families United for Truth and Justice have taken up the search for the missing. In July, PBI Mexico accompanied the two organisations in their search.

PBI at 40

In 1981, a group of international activists came together to create a movement for peace, solidarity and non-violent action.

Inspired by non-violent activism across the world, including the movement spearheaded by Gandhi in India and the Civil Rights movement in the United States, Peace Brigades International aimed to support the peaceful transformation of societies in conflict through dialogue and the progressive fulfilment of human rights.

Counteracting criminalisation

Our #HRDAtTheCentre campaign highlights the issue of criminalisation as a strategy of repression.

Criminalising HRDs provides unscrupulous state and non-state actors with a significant strategic advantage at times when a violent or heavy handed approach is not politically viable.

PBI are raising the alarm on criminalisation and stigmatisation. We are raising the profile of key cases, and counteracting narratives that put defenders at risk

Legal empowerment, protection and resilience-building activities and resources for grassroots environmental activists

Human and environmental rights defenders are on the front-line of global efforts to halt widespread and disastrous human rights abuses and environmental destruction, at the intersection of human, environmental, and climate justice.

The Legal Empowerment Project provides access to world-leading legal expertise and experience for grassroots human and environmental rights movements.

No human rights on a dead planet

The work of environmental human rights defenders is integral to the protection of the planet and the transition to greener economies. Activists and communities play a crucial role as the first line of defence against ecological collapse, as well as being frontrunners in the campaign to prevent it. Ahead of COP 26, we called on the UK Government to set an example and do more to tangibly recognise the crucial role of defenders and act to support them.

Later, as COP 26 wrapped up, we reflected on the vital voices that go unheard, undervalued and underrepresented in global climate talks.