April 2024

Reflections on the CANSEC arms show in Ottawa and community organizing to stop global human rights violations

News clipping from ARMX ’89. The international weapons trade has been implicated for many years in multiple violations of human rights and in aggressions against human rights defenders. Amnesty International recently highlighted their concern about Canadian arms exports and the implications on human rights in Saudi Arabia/Yemen, Peru and Israel/Palestine. Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Guatemala accompanies Famdegua at hearing on Inter-American Court ruling and acquittal of three soldiers in Dos Erres massacre

On April 18, PBI-Guatemala posted: “Yesterday #PBI accompanied Famdegua [the Association of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared of Guatemala] to the public hearing for the special appeal filed by the plaintiffs of #CasoDosErres In November last year the High Risk Court acquitted three defendants of the crimes of duty Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Guatemala accompanies the trial of General Benedicto Lucas accused of genocide against the Maya Ixil people

Photo by PBI-Guatemala. PBI-Guatemala is accompanying the trial of General Manuel Benedicto Lucas Garcia who is accused of committing genocide against the Maya Ixil people between August 1981 and March 1982 during the Internal Armed Conflict. He stands accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, forced disappearances and sexual violence. Now Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Mexico accompanies Peoples’ Front in Defence of Land and Water at march against San Pedro Cholula landfill

On April 22, PBI-Mexico posted: “Today, on International Mother Earth Day, we are accompanying the FPDTA-MPT [Peoples’ Front in Defence of Land and Water- Morelos, Puebla, Tlaxcala] in the March for Water and against the San Pedro Cholula landfill. At PBI Mexico we recognise the fundamental role that communities play Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Guatemala accompanies women’s group from Chinautla supporting Poqomam leader Armando Vazquez

On April 23, PBI-Guatemala posted: “PBI accompanies this morning to the women’s group from Chinautla, which accompanies the family of the defender Armando Vazquez whose son was killed last Thursday and while the other son survived the attack and is injured in the hospital. To local and national authorities, we Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

PBI-Colombia notes urgent concern about new attacks on the territory of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó

Video: PBI-Colombia at the Peace Community on March 27, just days after the murder of two community members. PBI-Colombia has posted on social media: “Urgent. After the murder of two members of @cdpsanjose [the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó], new attacks occur on the territory of the Community. Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

ALERT: 16-year-old son of Maya-Poqomam leader opposed to sand extraction in Chinautla, Guatemala killed by gunmen

Prensa Comunitaria photo: “Poqomam people of Chinautla say goodbye to Enilson Vásquez Chacón … who was murdered during an attack against his father on Thursday, April 18.” The Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project has posted on Facebook: “We share our ALERT about the murder of Denilson Alberto Vázquez Chacón and attempted Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Da’naxda’xw-Awaetlala land defender Rainbow Eyes sentenced to 60 days in jail

Photo: Rainbow Eyes outside the Nanaimo courthouse with supporters just prior to sentencing on April 24. Photo by Jordan Davidson/Nanaimo News NOW. Da’naxda’xw-Awaetlala land defender Angela Davidson, also known as Rainbow Eyes, was sentenced this week to 60 days in jail for her participation in the peaceful blockades against Teal Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

More than 800 human rights defenders killed in Palestine over the past six months

Photo: Nour Naser Abu al-Nour of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights was killed by an Israeli airstrike on her family home in Rafah on February 20. The airstrike also killed seven members of her family including her two-year-old daughter Kenzi Jumaa. The recently-released Amnesty International report The State of Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago

Educa Oaxaca video explains opposition from Indigenous communities to Vancouver-based Fortuna Silver Mines

Video still. Educa Oaxaca has posted: “Mining represents a serious threat to indigenous communities in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. In the Central Valleys, 12 communities have organized to confront this problem and to defend their territories and dignity. However, despite presenting evidence, testimonies, and records, and in violation of Read more…

By Brent Patterson, ago