Zeferino Ladrillero Human Rights Center calls for the release of Indigenous Amuzga rights defender Kenia Hérnandez

The Zeferino Ladrillero Human Rights Center (CDHZL) “accompanies processes of struggle of different Indigenous communities, peoples and collectives that seek a dignified life through the exercise of the demand of their human rights.” Zeferino Ladrillero is based in the municipality of Atizapán, in the state of Mexico, Mexico. As one Read more…

Ayuuk environmental defender Arnoldo Nicolás Romero, an opponent of the Interoceanic megaproject, killed in Mexico

Photo: Arnoldo Nicolás Romero. Mongabay reports: “Ayuuk leader Arnoldo Nicolás Romero, a municipal commissioner of the Buena Vista ejido in San Juan Guichicovi, a town and municipality in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, was found dead Jan. 21.” El Universal highlights: ”Nicolás Romero was known for being a fierce detractor Read more…

Questions arise about Canada’s planned purchase of F-35 fighter jets due to the imminent threat of US tariffs

Photo: A mock-up of an F-35 at Rockcliffe Airport, Ottawa. US president Donald Trump’s tariff war with Canada is raising questions about the Trudeau government’s $19 billion purchase of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets that would be assembled in Fort Worth, Texas. CBC reports: “The government’s facing calls to reconsider Read more…

Canada to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist groups, implications for mining companies and human rights defenders

Video still: On February 4, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said designating Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations would give police “more powers to… track the money, follow the assets and disrupt the activities of cartels.” CBC reports: “U.S. President Donald Trump dropped his plan to levy tariffs on Canada Read more…

PBI-Kenya accompanied Phyllis Omido and CJGEA cautiously celebrate halt to proposed nuclear power plant

Photo: PBI-Kenya meets with the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) to discuss various matters, including potential security issues for the defenders and community members opposing the nuclear plant. On January 24, 2025, The Star reported: “On Tuesday, President William Ruto chaired the first Cabinet meeting of 2025 Read more…

PBI-Colombia accompanies Humanitarian Caravan that seeks an end to armed violence against civilians in Catatumbo

Photo by the Luis Carlos Pérez Collective Lawyers Corporation (CCALCP). Update PBI-Colombia has posted on social media: “We join the urgent call of the organizations and social movements that during #CaravanaHumanitaria have demanded Humanitarian Agreements Now, an end to human rights violations, and the implementation of the Final Peace Agreement. Read more…

The rush to deploy “frontline personnel” to the border to avoid Trump’s tariffs overlooks human rights concerns about militarization

RCMP photo: Black Hawk helicopters will be deployed to the New Brunswick-US border on Wednesday February 5. The National Post reports: “Canada has agreed to deploy its $1.3-billion border enhancement plan along with thousands of frontline personnel to strengthen security on the U.S. boundary in exchange for the White House Read more…

PBI-Kenya meets with Women Human Rights Defenders, supports their work against the colonial legacy of violence

PBI-Kenya has posted: “Recently, Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) Toolkit Organizers (TOs) Cohort 1 held their first Monthly Movement Meeting of the year at Kwacha Africa in Malindi (Shela Ward). They checked in on each other, mapped out a year-long plan with concrete actions and roles, and wrapped up the Read more…

Implications of pause and possible closure of USAID on HRDs in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and Colombia

Photo: Elon Musk and Donald Trump, November 2024. The Associated Press reports: “The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing its greatest threat since its inception over 60 years ago, as President Donald Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk spent the weekend impugning the agency that has contributed Read more…