March 2024

PBI-Guatemala accompanies the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu at World Water Day commemoration

PBI-Guatemala has posted: “On March 16 #PBI accompanies the Council of Communities of Retalhuleu in the commemoration of #WorldWaterDay in the communities of Champerico. In this meeting, members of the Council exchanged on the challenges faced by the communities, such as the lack of water in the territories due to Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

U.S. authorizes the transfer to Israel of bombs and fighter jets made by companies financed by the Royal Bank of Canada

Photo: An Israeli F-35I with four GBU-31 bombs in the foreground. The Boeing-developed Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance tail kit converts an unguided MK-84 bomb into a “smart” guided bomb unit (GBU). Today, on the 176th day of the Israeli assault on Gaza in which 82 people were killed Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Ontario companies export armoured vehicles to police forces implicated in human rights violations

Photo: Roshel Inc., an Ontario-based company trying to export its armoured vehicles to Israel, will be an exhibitor at the CANSEC arms show in Ottawa, May 29-30. There are human rights concerns about how some armoured vehicles manufactured in Ontario are used by security forces around the world. The human Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

As the US moves ahead with $3 billion sale of F-35s to Israel, Canada continues to supply key parts for these bombers

Photo: An IAF F-35 Adir. On March 19, Middle East Eye reported: “The US plans to move ahead with a $2.5bn [also reported as $3 billion] sale of F-35 fighter jets, Josh Paul, the former director of congressional and public affairs for the State Department’s bureau of political-military affairs, said.” Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Colombia accompanies Peace Community of San José de Apartadó as the Ministry of Interior visits

On March 24, Franklin Castañeda tweeted: “From the Human Rights Directorate of the @MinInterior [Ministry of the Interior] we support the historic and genuine defense of the territory and peace of the @cdpsanjose [Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado]. What is expressed by [Colombian president] @petrogustavo and @Pontifex_es [Pope Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

More than 130 Parliamentarians in the UK sign letter citing Canada in call to stop arms exports to Israel

The Guardian reports: “A letter signed by more than 130 parliamentarians to the foreign secretary, David Cameron, highlights action taken by other countries, most recently Canada, which last week announced it would halt all arms exports to Israel.” The article adds: “The letter, coordinated by the Labour Member of Parliament Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks speaks at the People’s Summit in Vienna about RCMP C-IRG violence

Video: Chief Na’Moks at the People’s Summit in Vienna along with Hup-Wil-Lax-A and Gwii Lok’im Gibuu of the Gitxsan Nation. Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks writes in Ricochet Media: “This month marks one year since the RCMP’s civilian watchdog, the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission, launched an investigation into C-IRG.” “Last Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Colombia accompanies the 27th anniversary of the Peace Community days after two members were murdered

PBI-Colombia has tweeted: “We accompanied the peaceful march and the commemorative events of the anniversary #27AñosCdP [27 years of the Community of Peace] organized by the @cdpsanjose [Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado] who claims their legitimate right to the protection of nature. We regret that the sky of Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Could the German Air Force resume low-level flight training over Indigenous lands in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Video: Hunters and Bombers (1990). CBC reports the German air force has requested that low-level flight training resume at 5 Wing Goose Bay, a Canadian Forces Base situated on the traditional territory of the Innu in Newfoundland and Labrador. In an emailed statement to CBC/Radio Canada, Department of National Defence Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Guatemala accompanies BDH law firm at sentencing of Poqomchí land defender Sofia Tot Ac for “usurpation”

PBI-Guatemala has posted on Facebook: “On Tuesday and Wednesday [March 19-20] PBI accompanied the Human Rights Law Firm (BDH) to the hearing of the resolution of the accusation in the Sofía Case, in Cabón (Alta Verapaz). The judge in his sentence resolved that the Poqomchí defender has been an accomplice Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago