Recent Victories for Human Rights Defenders
Around the world, human rights defenders are making significant strides in their pursuit of justice—for themselves, their communities and the planet. The protective accompaniment and multi-level advocacy of PBI can help to provide the security these defenders need to do their work, to catalyse meaningful progress and to contribute to a more just world. Here’s a brief look at some inspiring wins from the past few months.
Justice for Indigenous women in Guatemala: a landmark victory against wartime sexual violence
PBI Guatemala field volunteers observe the hearing of the Achi case.
In June a Guatemalan court sentenced three former members of the Civil Self-Defence Patrols to 40 years in prison each for the wartime rape of six Indigenous Maya Achi women during the country’s brutal internal armed conflict. This marks a huge win for Guatemala, thanks to the survivors, who have endured decades of injustice, stigma and delay in their pursuit of justice. The court recognised sexual violence as a weapon of war used under the counterinsurgency doctrine, acknowledging the deep physical and psychological harm inflicted on the women, their families and their communities. This ruling paves the way for reparations and the non-repetition of such atrocious crimes. Over the course of the conflict more than 200,000 people were killed and another 43,000 were forcibly disappeared. More than 80% of the victims were Indigenous Maya people. PBI Guatemala has observed the hearings and has provided protective accompaniment to war crimes victims searching for justice since 1983.
Colombian president issues public apology to the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó for human rights violations
The community's legal representative and human rights defender Germán Graciano spoke at the ceremony.
In June 2025, the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó received a long-awaited public apology from the president of Colombia for human rights violations committed between 1997 and 2007. This has been a central demand of the community for years and is a significant milestone in the community’s long struggle for truth, justice and recognition. Founded in 1997, the Peace Community has endured more than 300 killings, massacres and ongoing violence. Yet it has remained firmly committed to non-violence, standing as a powerful symbol of grassroots resistance and peacebuilding amid Colombia’s armed conflict.
PBI has accompanied the community since 1999, helping to mitigate the threats community members face from paramilitary groups, the military and others seeking control over their resource-rich land. The community’s refusal to yield to fear and violence is both courageous and an affront to those who benefit from the conflict. This apology, although long overdue, is a hard-won achievement—and a vital step towards justice and the prevention of future atrocities.
UK sanctions authorities in Guatemala behind the criminalisation of human rights defenders
In April 2025 the UK government brought sanctions against seven corrupt individuals from Guatemala, including former president Alejandro Giammattei and current attorney general Maria Consuelo Porras. Porras has orchestrated the criminalisation of numerous human rights defenders, as well as other nefarious actions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala. Those who have been sanctioned will now be subject to travel bans and asset freezes, denying them entry to the UK and preventing them from holding bank accounts in the UK and its overseas territories. In the official announcement, the UK acknowledged how civil society groups played a crucial role in informing sanctions of this kind.
Sustained engagement with the UK government keeps human rights defenders on the UK agenda
In March 2025, the head of the Central America team at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office met with Indigenous woman human rights defender Sandra Calel, from the Guatemalan organisation UVOC, to discuss the ongoing challenges related to land rights and Indigenous peoples' rights in Guatemala. Also in March, at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK delegation made an intervention highlighting the need for stronger protections and underscoring the essential role they play in advancing human rights globally.
At PBI UK, we carry out persistent and strategic advocacy with the UK government—both in London and through its diplomatic missions abroad—urging the UK to support the vital work of human rights defenders. This helps to keep the issue of human rights defenders high on the UK’s agenda, prompting different parts of the government to take action. These kinds of actions are a critical piece of the puzzle for helping to keep defenders safe, offering both moral and political support, and reinforcing the international framework that enables them to carry out their work without fear of harassment.
These victories are not PBI’s: they belong to the courageous defenders and communities who tirelessly strive for justice, peace and human rights in the face of ever-increasing attacks and threats.
Change is a gradual process, often marked by challenges and setbacks. However, these cases underscore the vital significance of PBI's long-term, local and holistic protective accompaniment in catalysing victories for human rights and justice globally. PBI stands in solidarity with communities and human rights defenders in their darkest moments, and we stand by their side in their victories, celebrating together the power of international solidarity.
We can really only do this with your support. Together, we are so much stronger.
With thanks to PBI’s Canada Office for the additional reporting and case compilation.
