PBI-Canada asks that Canada’s feminist foreign policy be implemented as sexual violence against women at protests in Colombia increases

On May 13, 17-year-old Allison Meléndez committed suicide after suffering sexual violence by members of the Colombian police. Peace Brigades International is one of the 306 organizations that asked the United Nations Human Rights Council on June 21 to take further action against “flagrant human rights violations” in Colombia. That Read more…

Three Members of Parliament call for urgent action from Trudeau government on the human rights situation in Colombia

Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe and Alexandre Boulerice. Radio Canada International (RCI) reports: “Twenty-four Canadian civil organizations, including groups of Colombians in Canada, trade unions, churches, human rights associations and political figures in Canada organized a cross-country Day of Action for Human Rights in Colombia on Tuesday June 22.” Laura Avalos Read more…

PBI-Mexico allied Educa Oaxaca highlights health problems experienced by Zapotec communities near Canadian mine

Photo by Roxana Romero. The PBI-Mexico allied Educa Oaxaca is highlighting continued concerns about the impacts of the Canadian-owned mine on communities near San José del Progreso. Mongabay reports on instances of itchy skin, hepatitis, fish without eyes and tails, breathing and intestinal issues in an area “located less than Read more…

PBI-Honduras accompanies Arcoíris at Pride Day gathering outside National Commission for Human Rights in Tegucigalpa

On June 28, PBI-Honduras posted: “PBI accompanies @arcoirisghn [Rainbow Association] in front of @CONADEH [the Institution of the National Commissioner for Human Rights] in an event that highlights the need to achieve equality in Honduras.” PBI-Honduras adds: “In this way, the LGTBIQ+ community remembers that, despite all the discrimination, exists Read more…

Concerns of PBI-Colombia accompanied organizations raised in Annual Report on Canada-Colombia free trade agreement

Photo: In February, PBI-Colombia accompanied the Inter-Church Commission on Justice and Peace as concerns were expressed about the bodies that have been dumped by armed groups into the waters around Buenaventura. Late on Friday June 25, Global Affairs Canada posted its latest Annual Report on human rights and the Canada-Colombia Read more…

PBI-Honduras accompanies hearing for student activist Hery Flores at hearing in relation to a right to health and education protest

PBI-Honduras has posted: “[On June 25] we observed the trial of student Hery Yovani Flores Quiroz, arrested on Tuesday, June 22 [after he participated in] the march against the ZEDES [controversial special economic zones].” “He is charged with the alleged crime of aggravated arson that would have occurred on October Read more…

PBI-Guatemala accompanies hearing in which former Defense Minister indicted on charges of enforced disappearance

Image from Canal Antigua. Prensa Libre reports: “Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez linked to criminal proceedings on Friday [June 25] to former Defense Minister Marco Antonio González Taracena, for the crime of enforced disappearance.” “In addition to the crimes of enforced disappearance, González Taracena is accused of crimes against the duties Read more…

PBI-Guatemala accompanies lawyers at hearing for soldier who will stand trial in October for the Dos Erres massacre

On June 22, PBI-Guatemala posted: “PBI accompanies the Human Rights Law Firm (BDH) in the #CasoDosErres. Today Judge Claudette Domínguez tied former Kaibil José Mardoqueo Ortiz Morales to the process, for his participation in the massacre. The next hearing will be in October; the accused will remain in remand.” The Read more…