September 2020

“PBI was a true introduction to the meaning of solidarity”: Justin Mohammed on his time as a PBI volunteer in Kenya

As Peace Brigades International approaches its 40th anniversary in 2021, we are sharing the reflections of past volunteers from Canada who accompanied at-risk defenders in various PBI project countries over the years. Justin Mohammed, who now lives in Ottawa, accompanied defenders through the Peace Brigades International-Kenya Project in 2015-16. Justin Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Jani Silva defends communities in Putumayo, Colombia where Canadian oil companies operate

The Peace Brigades International-Colombia Project has just published this profile of community leader Jani Silva. PBI-Colombia explains that Jani is the president of the Association for the Integral Sustainable Development of the Perla Amazónica (ADISPA), the association that manages the Perla Amazónica Peasant Reserve Zone (ZRC). Jani is accompanied by Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Mexico present as thousands march to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the disappearance of the Ayotzinapa 43

On September 26, the Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project was present as thousands marched from the Angel of Independence (a prominent monument in downtown Mexico City) to the Zócalo (the main city square and seat of the federal government) to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of 43 students. On Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

La Jornada reports on refusal of Judge to meet with organizations about the murder of lawyer Arnulfo Cerón Soriano

On September 24, the Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project posted on their Facebook page: “Yesterday we accompanied Tlachinollan Human Rights Centre, Red TDT and Fundar México in their displacement to the 10th District Court in the city of Chilpancingo, in pursuit of the case of the disappeared and later murdered defender, Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Canada expresses concern over Haldimand Police Services Board description of Six Nations land defenders as terrorists

Matthew Green, MP: “Labelling Indigenous land defenders as terrorists is immoral, risks escalation of violence against Indigenous people and must be called out for what it is.” The experience of criminalization is a significant and often deadly reality in human rights and Indigenous land defence struggles around the world. The Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI highlights Indigenous land defenders at recent session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva

On September 23, Peace Brigades International co-sponsored a statement with six other NGOs (Franciscans International, OMCT, Protection International, ICJ, Dominicans for Justice and Peace, Action de Carême) that was presented by Maria Josefina Caal Xol, the sister of Bernardo Caal, during a United Nations panel discussion in Geneva, Switzerland that Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Concerns continue over threats made against Anishnaabe land defenders protecting moose on their territory from sport hunters

Facebook photo by Kijatèkwe Wawatè. On September 23, Christopher Curtis with Ricochet reported: “Police are investigating at least two credible threats made against Anishnaabe land defenders at blockades on their territory over the weekend.” CBC journalist Ka’nhehsí:io Deer has explained: “Members of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake have been turning Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago