Bernardo Caal Xol bought a successful legal challenge against the Oxec hydroelectric projects, resulting in their temporary suspension, as part of the Peaceful Resistance of Cahabon, a grassroots movement accompanied by PBI. He was subsequently arrested on spurious charges of illegal detention and robbery.

This is just one example of criminalisation - a tool used to silence defenders

40 years ago, 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. 40 years on, PBI remains convinced of the vital role human rights defenders play in strengthening democracy, upholding the rule of law, and protecting our shared environment. Together, through their protection, we can create a more peaceful and just world…

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

Those searching for them, seeking to ‘dig up the past’ face threats and violence.

The past decade has seen an intense militarization of police forces around the world. The militarization of police forces is of incredible concern - particularly when we see impunity for police-led human rights abuses. In this article, we hear from the human rights defenders taking a stand and calling for demilitarization in 3 countries.

On the 4th of January 2016, Leonardo Amador woke up to bulldozers uprooting the land surrounding his community in Choluteca, Honduras. They were making space for thousands of solar panels.

Last week we celebrated women human rights defenders (WHRDs) working at the front line of their communities seeking to combat sexual violence in Kenya.

Human rights defenders continue to experience attacks, threats and repression during pandemic. The UK government must do more to support and protect them. Find out more in new report: On the Human Rights Frontline

On the 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 in other regions.