Home Blog

Americas Policy Group calls on Canadian government to ensure justice for murdered Guatemalan lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa

By
Brent Patterson
-

Image from APG on Instagram.

Lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was killed on Saturday October 17, 2026, in Guatemala City.

He was buried on Tuesday October 20 at Cementerio Los Parques.

That same day, Prensa Comunitaria reported: “It is still unknown who planned and executed the attack, as well as the possible motive for the murder. The [Public Ministry] is keeping the investigation under wraps, which limits access to details about the investigations and the progress made in identifying those responsible.”

The Americas Policy Group (APG) network of 22 Canadian civil society organizations has expressed “its shock and sorrow at the brazen assassination of Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa.” The APG statement highlights:

“We urge the Canadian government to:

-Publicly condemn the assassination of Mr. Solórzano and express Canada’s interest in impartial justice.

-Offer resources to enable anti-impunity efforts in this case and others, should they be requested.

-Ensure that Canada’s Embassy in Guatemala actively implements the Voices at Risk Guidelines, including through regular engagement with human rights defenders, monitoring and reporting on threats, and diplomatic engagement with Guatemalan authorities to promote their protection.”

Peace Brigades International-Canada is a member of the APG.

The full statement can be read at: APG calls for justice for murdered Guatemalan anti-corruption campaigner Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa.

Embassy of Canada in Guatemala

On October 17, 2026, the Embassy of Canada in Guatemala posted on X (on their Spanish-language account): “A sad day for Guatemala. @foppaguate was a brave man who fought for impartial justice, among other things. Our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His murder cannot go unpunished: honoring his memory means demanding justice and defending the democracy he served.”

The Embassy tagged the Government of Guatemala, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala, and the Public Ministry of Guatemala.

We continue to follow this.

 

VIDEO 2: PBI-Honduras volunteer Jeanne encourages field volunteer applications by October 30

By
Brent Patterson
-

In this video, Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project volunteer Jeanne talks about being a PBI-Honduras field volunteer (brigadista) as the project calls for applications (deadline October 30).

You can apply here.

What does the work of a brigade member entail?

“Let me explain—it’s not that there’s a rigid, fixed structure, but at PBI, we frequently conduct field visits, which require prior preparation.

There’s also the process of systematizing information; everything revolves around our efforts to provide field accompaniment, ensure visibility, and support international observation. So, there is a significant operational component—the logistics involved in organizing a field visit.

Then there’s the security analysis – a crucial part of our work – which must be carried out beforehand.

We also manage the activities themselves while in the field: this includes accompanying the human rights defenders who have requested our support, as well as pursuing our own agenda, such as engaging with authorities and various other stakeholders. Once we return, we systematize everything and plan for follow-up.”

How does consensus-based decision-making work?

“Every decision – and this is a key aspect – is reached by consensus. While reaching a consensus can take time, it’s truly about collective consideration; rather than one person making the call, we build the best possible approach by incorporating everyone’s unique perspective. I feel fortunate to be able to work this way – not every workplace allows for decision-making by consensus or such a horizontal structure. That is a defining feature of PBI.”

What qualities does a brigade member need to have?

“I would say communication is vital—the work is very intense, both due to the context and our emergency response efforts. Furthermore, because we are constantly working alongside our teammates, clear communication is essential.

Flexibility is also key; you’re joining an established team, so you need to listen and observe how things function. You also have to remain flexible because unexpected issues—whether internal or external—frequently arise. This requires constant adaptation, which in turn demands that you stay attuned to what is happening around you.”

What would you say to someone who is thinking about applying?

“Well, in my experience, I’d say—look, if you’re thinking about it, there’s a reason—and, well, sometimes you’ll come to understand more clearly why you came once you’re actually there; I’d say, just trust what you’re feeling right now.”

Further reading: VIDEO 1: PBI-Honduras volunteer Jeanne answers questions about being a brigadista (deadline to apply to join the team is October 30).

 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is implicated in attacks against human rights defenders; how is the AFP being armed?

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo by the AFP.

Global Witness has documented that between 2012 and 2024, at least 306 land and environmental defenders have been killed in the Philippines. Twelve more defenders were killed in 2025 bringing this total to 318 dead.

Global Witness has previously noted: “The military is the single biggest perpetrator of defender killings in the Philippines, especially of Indigenous Peoples.” Their report adds: “It was responsible for 64 out of 117 killings of Indigenous defenders Global Witness has documented between 2012-23.”

The independent magazine In These Times also analyzed the killing of environmental defenders in the Philippines from 2014 to 2024 and reports: “A very conservative assessment suggests evidence of state involvement in 109 of 210 such killings in the Philippines in the past decade — more than half.”

In June 2026, a report by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders also found that “counter-terrorism laws and counter-insurgency policies have been used to attack and criminalize land and environmental rights defenders, human rights lawyers, journalists, trade unionists, and women human rights defenders, including those from Indigenous Peoples’ communities”

That report by the Observatory states: “Perpetrators of attacks against defenders included: national and local authorities; the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); the Philippine National Police (PNP); private security firms working for extractive companies; and conservative religious groups.”

What countries arm the Philippines?

In June 2025, Modern Diplomacy reported: “The Philippines is one of the world’s largest importer of arms. In a gross misallocation of resources, Manila is boosting its arms imports faster than any other major ASEAN arms importer.”

That article continues: “Manila imports more than 80% of its arms from just three countries: South Korea (33%), Israel (27%) and the US (20%).”

Notably, Canadian businesses have a relationship with all three countries.

South Korea

For example, the Trade Commissioner Service of Canada has noted: “Partnerships already exist between leading Korean defence firms and Canadian suppliers. The new Canada-Republic of Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership, announced in October 2025, further strengthens the foundation for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to explore opportunities in Korea’s defence sector.”

In 2025, Canada exported $49,688,478.82 in military goods to Korea.

Israel

In July 2025, CBC News reported: “Canada is mostly a provider of components to Israel, rather than finished weapons systems or vehicles. Currently valid permits include printed circuit boards for land vehicles and materials ‘related to surveillance systems’ or ‘for repairs and maintenance of surveillance systems’.”

In 2025, Canada exported $14,671,705.14 in military goods to Israel.

United States

Canada is also a significant supplier of components to the United States military.

The annual report produced by Global Affairs Canada does not include the export of military goods to the United States. However, in September 2025, the Waterloo, Ontario-based Project Ploughshares estimated that Canada exports more than $1 billion annually in “weapons transfers” to the United States.

Canadian components in US weapons

In April 2021, the Washington, DC-based Cato Institute noted: “Since 2002, the United States has sold the Philippines nearly $900 million in weapons and provided over $1.3 billion in security assistance. In February 2021, the Philippines said it would move ahead on a purchase of 15 Black Hawk helicopters.”

The UK-based Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) has also documented that the United States sold US $483 million worth of arms (Foreign Military Sales) to the Philippines between 2020 and 2024.

This included fifteen Lockheed Martin Black Hawk attack helicopters, as well as F-35 and F-16 combat aircraft. CAAT adds: “The Philippines armed forces have also received substantial quantities of small arms from the US.”

Canadian components could be related to those military exports to the Philippines. For example, Mississauga-based Magellan Aerospace now produces components for Black Hawk helicopters through the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency. Ottawa-based Gastops manufactures engine sensors for F-35 aircraft.

Direct exports to the Philippines

The direct export of Canadian “military goods” to the Philippines are relatively modest but could soon dramatically increase.

In the five-year period of 2012 to 2016, Canada exported about $12.9 million in military goods to the Philippines: $3,268,594 in 2012; $1,226,392 in 2013; $2,195,581 in 2014; $192,490 in 2015; and $6,050,640.67 in 2016.

In the nine-year period that followed (2017 to 2025), this totaled about $1.3 million: $3,219.78 in 2017; $175,497.00 in 2018; $458.00 in 2019; $18,100.00 in 2020; $399.95 in 2021; $385,000.00 in 2022; $514,604.48 in 2023; $22,929.81 in 2024; and $207,173.19 in 2025.

The relatively low latter figure is likely because a deal signed in December 2017 by Canada and the Philippines to sell 16 combat utility helicopters worth $233.36 million was cancelled by February 2018 after human rights concerns were raised.

On April 30, 2018, the National Post reported: “Just months after a contract to sell military helicopters to the Philippines was cancelled, a Canadian firm is hoping it can revive the controversial deal. … Bell says it is now back in discussions with the Philippines as a potential client for the same helicopters.”

The Canadian agenda to increase exports

This past February 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy that pledges to “increase our defence exports by 50%” and “ramp up Canada’s presence at major global defence and aerospace trade shows”.

In August 2026, a Senior Public Affairs Officer, Indo-Pacific, with the Department of National Defence in Ottawa highlighted that Canada and the Philippines are taking “defence cooperation to new heights”.

ADAS and CANSEC 2027

The Asian Defense & Security (ADAS) exhibition is held biennially in Metro Manila. This is where transnational corporations, including Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin, exhibit to secure contracts with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The next ADAS on June 28-30, 2027, will include a “Canada Partnership Pavilion”.

Just a few weeks earlier, the Philippines is likely to be among the 100+ international delegations at the CANSEC arms show on June 2-3, 2027, at Cohere Centre in Ottawa. CANSEC is described by its organizers as “Canada’s largest defence, security & emerging tech tradeshow where $1B+ in business deals happen every year.”

We continue to follow this.

PBI-Canada attentive to the implications of the upcoming Canada-EU summit in Montreal for human rights defenders

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo: Canadian Prime Minister Carney, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Strasbourg, France, September 17, 2026.

The European Union and Canada will hold a summit in Montreal, Quebec this coming Thursday October 29 and Friday October 30.

The Financial Post reports: “The two sides will commit to building ‘a deeper, more integrated and strategically aligned relationship,’ according to a draft communique to be agreed at the gathering… ‘The full scope of this associate membership will be defined by the 2027 Canada-EU Summit’, the text states.”

This summit comes weeks after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed inviting Canada to become an associate member of the European Union, and Prime Minister Carney’s address to the European Parliament.

In her State of the Union address in September, von der Leyen stated: “We will create a tech alliance. We will integrate defense industrial bases. We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project. We will work on energy, critical minerals and batteries. On AI, quantum, cyber and economic security.”

Euronews reports: “At a summit in Montreal next week, the two sides will begin putting substance behind the idea, seeking closer cooperation on trade, defence, technology and energy without Canada formally joining the bloc. …The summit in Montreal on 29-30 October is the first real chance to define the partnership in more detail.”

LNG exports to Europe

The Euronews article adds: “On energy, the conclusions open the door to ‘the development of liquefied natural gas exchanges’, notably through a joint long-term feasibility study on LNG exports to Europe.”

It is possible that the thinking is that these LNG exports to Europe could be sourced from the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline that crosses Gitanyow and Gitxsan territory in northern British Columbia.

Critical minerals

Euronews also notes: “Critical raw materials, one of Canada’s key assets for the EU, are also on the table. The two sides have agreed that the European Investment Bank will play a role in critical mineral projects, from extraction and processing to manufacturing and recycling.”

The Ring of Fire mining agenda, a 5,000 square kilometre area that spans Indigenous territories in northern Ontario, could be part of this Canada-EU agenda. Earlier this week, the Canadian Press reported: “The federal government will put down $1 billion to help build a controversial road to the Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday [October 21].”

Attawapiskat land defenders Jeronimo Kataquapit (founder of the grassroots youth advocacy group Here We Stand) and Ramon Kataquapit (founder of the Indigenous youth organization Okiniwak) are among those opposing the Ring of Fire.

Foreign aid

In the lead-up to the upcoming Canada-EU summit in Montreal, Canada also attended the EU development ministers in Dublin on October 8-9.

The Canadian Press reports: “Canada’s deepening ties with Europe could help fill some of the massive gaps left behind as the United States pulls back from foreign aid and embraces a ‘transactional’ approach, says [Randeep Sarai] the secretary of state for international development.”

That article adds: “He said this effort includes recent talks with the European Union on leveraging private dollars and philanthropy for aid, while maintaining some government funding for the world’s most vulnerable.”

Canada now spends about 1.6 per cent of its budget on foreign aid. In the November 2025 federal budget, the Carney government cut $2.7 billion from Canada’s foreign aid budget over the next four years. Budget 2026 will be tabled on November 5, 2026, less than a week after the Canada-EU summit.

PBI-Canada following the talks

With the International Office of Peace Brigades International situated in Brussels, and with PBI-Germany and PBI-Spanish State two of the largest PBI entities, PBI-Canada is paying close attention to the Canada-EU relationship and any opportunities to help strengthen the protection of PBI accompanied human rights defenders.

PBI sends volunteers, brigadistas, to physically accompanied at-risk organizations, defenders and communities in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. In 2025, 231 defenders were killed in those four countries.

Further reading

–PBI-Canada seeks to strengthen the accompaniment of human rights defenders with the European Parliament office in Ottawa (PBI-Canada, September 15, 2026)

–Canadian prime minister highlights critical minerals, LNG exports, solidarity and international law in speech to European Parliament (PBI-Canada, September 17, 2026).

Global unions to converge in Bogota in solidarity with Colombian trade union movement, October 29-30

By
Brent Patterson
-

There will be a International Trade Union Solidarity Mission to Colombia (“Mision Sindical Internacional de Solidaridad con Colombia”) gathering in Bogota this coming Thursday October 29 and Friday October 30.

The Central Union of Workers (CUT) has posted on social media: “International solidarity arrives in Colombia! Trade union leaders from across the globe, representing more than 210 million workers, are arriving to stand with the Colombian trade union movement and defend democracy, labor rights, and peace.”

The thirteen logos on the poster (from left to right) are:

Global Unions

Building and Wood Worker’s International

International Federation of Journalists (affiliates include Unifor)

International Arts and Entertainment Alliance

IndustriALL Global Union (affiliates include Unifor, Teamsters)

International Transport Workers’ Federation

International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (affiliates include Unifor, NUPGE, UFCW)

Public Services International (affiliates include CUPE, NUPGE, PSAC)

Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (affiliated with CLC, CSN, CSQ)

 UNI Global Union (affiliates include Unifor, CUPW, UFCW)

International Trade Union Confederation (affiliates include CLC-CTC, CSD, CSQ, CSN)

Education International (affiliates include CAUT)

PBI-Canada follows this with interest.

Additional reading

–Nelson Javier Alarcón elected the president of the Central Union of Workers (CUT) in Colombia (PBI-Canada, October 20, 2026)

–Credhos, Nomadesc, Cahucopana take part in the National Mobilization with Colombian unions, social movements the day after Decree 1525 (PBI-Canada, October 14, 2026)

–Central Union of Workers (CUT) denounces armed attack against Gonzalo Núñez, calls on Colombian state to provide protection measures (PBI-Canada, October 8, 2026).

 

PBI-Canada to watch witnesses from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador present to the IACHR/CIDH on threats against environmental defenders

By
Brent Patterson
-

Image from CIDH YouTube channel.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) notes: “The IACHR will hold a hearing on the international obligations of Canadian extractive companies and their impact on human rights.” The hearings will include the individual cases of Eudaldo León Díaz Salgado in Colombia, and the Rarámuri Communities of Huitosachi Mogótavo and Bacijípare in Urique, Chihuahua, in Mexico.

This media release from the Americas Policy Group (APG), the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA) and others notes: “Witnesses from across Latin America and the Caribbean will bring evidence of human rights violations and environmental harm linked to Canadian mining companies before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).”

“Six witnesses from directly affected communities in Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, and Argentina will share firsthand testimony on threats and violence against environmental defenders, criminalization of community leaders, water contamination, and harm to health and livelihoods.”

It further notes: “The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hold a hearing next Tuesday [October 27 from 5 pm to 6:30 pm ET] on Canada’s responsibility to prevent, address, and remedy human rights abuses linked to Canadian mining companies operating in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Peace Brigades International-Canada is a member of both the Americas Policy Group (APG) and the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability (CNCA).

Click here to access the IACHR/CIDH YouTube channel to watch the livestreamed hearing in Panama City.

Further reading: Media Advisory: Community Representatives from Six Countries to Testify on Canadian Mining Abuses at International Human Rights Hearing; Witnesses from across Latin America and the Caribbean will bring evidence of human rights violations and environmental harm linked to Canadian mining companies before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

What does the Canadian government’s “value-based realism” on arms exports mean for human rights defenders, journalists and LGBT rights?

By
Brent Patterson
-

Photo and joint statement: “Canada and Türkiye are bound together by shared values: human rights, individual liberties, democracy and the rule of law.”

At the beginning of this year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in his address to the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland: “Our new approach rests on what Alexander Stubb, the President of Finland, has termed ‘value-based realism’ – or, to put it another way, we aim to be both principled and pragmatic.”

As the year has unfolded what does that mean for human rights defenders, journalists and the LGBT community in countries such as Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

Human rights defenders

Amnesty International has noted that in Türkiye in 2025: “Baseless investigations, prosecutions and convictions of human rights defenders, journalists, opposition politicians and others intensified.”

In Saudi Arabia, Amnesty reported: “Authorities continued to severely restrict freedom of expression and association, with critics and human rights defenders facing long prison terms, grossly unfair trials, and arbitrary travel bans.”

Journalists

In May 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists and sixteen other human rights organizations stated: “Saudi Arabia is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with at least 10 behind bars on December 1, 2024, making it the 10th worst jailer of journalists globally.”

And earlier this week, the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) unanimously passed a motion “expressing solidarity with journalists, trade unions, and professional organizations in Türkiye in their fight against censorship, intimidation and the criminalization of journalism.”

LGBT rights

Just over a month ago, on September 18, 2026, Human Rights Watch posted: “The Turkish government’s major crackdown on groups and activists defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people threatens the rule of law and fundamental rights in Türkiye, Human Rights Watch said today.”

And in Saudi Arabia, Human Rights Watch has previously documented: “The authorities continue to repress the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and have eliminated discussion of gender and sexuality from the public sphere online and offline.”

Overall, the Freedom House annual Freedom in the World report gives Türkiye a score of 32/100 and Saudi Arabia a score of 9/10.

Both countries are considered “not free”.

‘Engaging with the world as it is’

In January 2026, Prime Minister Carney stated during his visit to China: “We fundamentally stand up for human rights. We stand up for democracy, territorial integrity, rights to self-determination. We take the world as it is not as we wish it to be.”

He further commented: “That means we do engage with countries. We calibrate that engagement depending on our values and our interests so that engagement is more narrow when there are those issues. We also have a sort of value-based realism to the approach. We will engage on those issues with coalitions because that has more influence. …With other countries our engagement is more narrow. It’s more specific. And we keep within those guardrails and for those relationships. We’re very clear about where we will cooperate, where we differ.”

Carney added: “Our cooperation is more focused, more limited. But to have the effective relationship, we have the direct conversations. We don’t grab a megaphone and have the conversations that way.”

By July 2026, while in Saudi Arabia and questioned about human rights, Prime Minister Carney commented: “I do see that lecturing countries from afar is an ineffective strategy. It’s satisfying, but it’s ineffective.”

And this week ahead of meetings in Türkiye, the Minister of Energy for Canada Tim Hodgson commented: “The prime minister has been very clear. We need to engage with the world as it is, not the way we wish it to be. Where we have differences of opinion, we discuss those in private.”

The joint Statement by Prime Minister Carney and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan states: “As NATO Allies, Canada and Türkiye are bound together by shared values: human rights, individual liberties, democracy and the rule of law.”

This hour CBC News reports: “Carney was asked by journalists on Friday [October 23] whether he personally raised concerns with Erdogan during their separate meeting. The prime minister refused to be pinned down. ‘My approach on these issues is I have direct conversations with leaders’, Carney said. ‘I find those conversations are more effective when they’re direct and open and not then reported out in detail, but we have raised these issues.’”

‘Defence industry co-operation’

This past summer, CBC News reported: “Carney announced during his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that Canada would be sending a permanent defence attaché to its embassy in Riyadh to ‘increase exports from Canada’s defence sector,’ and opening a Canada exhibit at the World Defence Show there 18 months from now.”

And this week, Radio-Canada reported: “[Carney] and Turkish President Recep Erdogan announced a strategic partnership aimed at expanding trade and defence co-operation. …The partnership includes a new agreement on defence industry co-operation that will better connect Canadian and Turkish companies.”

‘No substantial risk’

In the context of the approximately $14-billion contract with Saudi Arabia for Canadian-made light armoured vehicles signed in February 2014, and the murder Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018, Global Affairs Canada produced a departmental briefing note for the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

By November 2019, CBC News reported: “While the document [the briefing for the Minister] acknowledges that Saudi Arabia’s overall human rights record remains problematic, it says ‘officials found no credible evidence linking Canadian exports of military equipment or other controlled items to any human rights or humanitarian law violations committed by the Saudi government.’ …The document says the department believes there is ‘no substantial risk’ that current Canadian exports of military equipment will result in any human rights violations within Saudi Arabia.”

The implication is an acknowledgement of human rights violations, but a burden of proof in relation to specific military goods.

Amnesty International and Project Ploughshares responded by saying: “Canada is continuing to breach its international legal obligations on arms exports”.

Arms exports

In 2025 alone, Canada exported $403,946,393.05 in of “military goods and technology” to Saudi Arabia, and $129,939,659.74 to Türkiye.

The agenda is now to increase those exports. This was signaled in February 2026 in the Canadian government’s Defence Industrial Strategy that announced the intention to increase “our defence exports by 50%”.

We are also seeing this in relation to the announcements made in Saudi Arabia in July 2026 and Turkiye in October 2026.

CANSEC 2027

Türkiye and Saudi Arabia will likely be among the 100+ international delegations at the CANSEC arms show on June 2-3, 2027, at Cohere Centre in Ottawa. CANSEC is described by its organizers as “Canada’s largest defence, security & emerging tech tradeshow where $1B+ in business deals happen every year.”

As noted above, Canada will also be at the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia from January 16 to January 20, 2028. It is also likely that Canada will be at the next International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) that will be held from May 3 to May 9, 2027, at the Istanbul Expo Center in Istanbul, Turkey.

We continue to follow this.

PBI-Guatemala observes sentencing of seven police officers convicted in the homophobic killing of Canadian and Q’eqchi’ Maya couple

By
Brent Patterson
-

The Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project has posted on social media:

“Yesterday [October 21], #PBIobserves the reading of the verdict in the #Chimaltenango Extrajudicial Executions case. The High-Risk Court B (Tribunal de Mayor Riesgo B) convicted seven former National Civil Police (PNC) officers for the deaths of #Milton Santamaría and #Eldin Choc Xi, which occurred on April 18, 2024, at the police substation in San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango.

For the crime of extrajudicial execution, Edy Vásquez Rabanales (head of the substation) and Fredi Santiago Velásquez Pérez each received a 60-year non-commutable prison sentence (30 years for each victim). Mauricio Abraham Contreras Salán was sentenced to 30 years (non-commutable) for the death of Milton Santamaría and was acquitted regarding the death of Eldin Choc Xi.

The charges against Yuliza Nabely Ayala Yol and Yorleni Macario Ramos were modified to failure to perform official duties (5 years) and discrimination (3 years)—sentences that may be commuted upon payment of Q5 per day. Jeremías Jacobo Rojas Rojas was convicted of abuse of authority (5 years) and illegal detention (3 years)—also commutable at a rate of Q5 per day—and was acquitted of the charge of failure to provide assistance. Ángel Mario Roquel Sajbochol was convicted of obstruction of criminal proceedings (5 years) and failure to perform official duties (5 years, commutable), and was fined Q1,000 for failing to report a crime; he was acquitted of the charge of failure to provide assistance. All those convicted have been disqualified from holding public office for the duration of their sentences.

The State of Guatemala was acquitted.

The court established that the officers lied to evade institutional oversight and to conceal the torture and execution. The case—denounced as a hate crime based on the victims’ sexual orientation—represents one of the first convictions for an extrajudicial execution to occur since the signing of the Peace Accords. The hearing on dignified reparation will be held on Friday, October 23, starting at 8:30.”

Image of Milton (left) and Eldin (right) from Cristosal Centroamérica.

The Spanish news agency EFE reports: “The Canadian died of hemorrhage and trauma at the police substation, while Guatemalan Choc Xi was missing after his arrest and his body was located by residents of the region seven days later.”

Canadian citizen killed

During the trial, the Embassy of Canada in Guatemala posted on social media:

“Representatives from the Embassy of Canada are awaiting the verdict in the case of Canadian citizen Milton Santamaría. The evidence highlighted violence motivated by prejudice and hatred. Hate crimes have no place in democratic and inclusive societies.

We recognize the importance of accountability, access to justice, and the protection of human rights for all individuals.”

Photo of courtroom by Embassy of Canada.

Agence France-Presse additionally reports: “A Guatemalan court has sentenced seven former police officers to up to 60 years in prison over the ‘extrajudicial execution’ of a gay couple, killings denounced by human rights groups as a hate crime. …Choc, who was Guatemalan, and Santamaria, who was Salvadoran-Canadian, had reportedly been arrested over an altercation in a shop. The police reported the couple as having died in a traffic accident. Santamaria’s body was taken to a hospital, while Choc’s remains were found days later in a ravine with one hand mutilated.”

That article adds: “Several activists gathered outside the courthouse holding banners with the slogan: ‘Homophobia kills’. There were around 30 violent deaths of LGBTQ people in Guatemala last year, according to the Lambda Association, a Guatemalan human rights group. Hate crime is not defined under Guatemalan law.”

A hate crime against LGBT people

During the trial, Presentes had reported: “The police brutality against Eldin Choc Xi, an indigenous Q’eqchi’ Maya man, and Milton Santamaría, a Salvadoran-Canadian, occurred within a context of profound vulnerability in Guatemala. The country’s legal and institutional framework lacks even the most basic tools for protection against bias-motivated violence. In Guatemala there are also no specific laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, nor is same-sex marriage or registered gender identity recognized.”

“A ruling that recognizes hate against LGBT people would set a historic precedent in Guatemala. It would also break a long history of impunity, becoming the first case in which a hate crime against LGBT+ people perpetrated by state agents is prosecuted.”

That article also noted: “The central demand is that the judges recognize that the couple’s sexual orientation was a determining factor in the torture and murder. A ruling that recognizes hate against LGBT people would set a historic precedent in Guatemala. It would break a long history of impunity and become “the first case in which a hate crime committed by state forces is prosecuted” in Guatemala, says Jovanna García. Since it was handed down in a High Risk Court, which specializes in judging crimes committed by public officials and high-impact cases, the ruling can help promote future legislative reforms in the Penal Code that allow hate crimes to be classified in the country and guarantee non-repetition.”

The Associated Press reports: “Henry Choc Xi, Eldin Choc’s brother, said at a press conference [on Thursday October 22] that they hoped the court would include in its sentence that it was a hate crime because the family considers it so. ‘For the family, the main thing is that the memory of Eldin and Milton remains and that their death is an example not to be repeated,’ he said. Sheila Arana, one of the lawyers for the families of the victims, stressed that the sentence is historic because it recognizes that the crime was committed out of prejudice against the couple.”

eP investiga notes: “The [Mexico-based human rights] organization Visibles highlighted the sentence issued by the Court, but questioned why hate crimes are not yet classified in Guatemala. ‘Today, a judgment was given in the case of Eldin and Milton, but it remains vacuum. In Guatemala, hate crimes or crimes of prejudice are not criminalized,’ the organization said. In view of this, they indicated that as long as it is not named that homophobia drove this crime, there will be no real justice for the victims, nor will there be routes to stop this type of violent acts.”

We continue to follow this.

Additional reading

–Guatemala: Seven former police officers sentenced to up to 60 years in prison for homophobic murder of gay couple (Stop Homophobie, October 22, 2026)

–Guatemalan police officers found guilty of execution of gay couple (Diario de Centro América, October 22, 2026)

–Court convicts former police officers for the execution of Nelson Santamaría and Eldin Choc (Prensa Libre, October 21, 2026)

–Court convicts seven police officers for the torture and death of Eldin Choc and Milton Santamaría (eP investiga, October 21, 2026)

–Why the trial for the murder of Eldin and Milton could be historic for Guatemala’s LGBT community (Presentes, October 16, 2024).

PBI-UK “Overdue Diligence” report cites five case studies in their call for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act in the UK

By
Brent Patterson
-

Our colleagues at Peace Brigades International (PBI) UK Section have produced a report titled Overdue Diligence: Why Human Rights Defenders Still Need a UK Law on Due Diligence (October 2026).

This new report by PBI-UK comments: “To truly disrupt the trend of ongoing violence, ensure the sustainability of UK business and position the UK as a leader on corporate accountability, the UK Government should act now and commit to a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act in order to hold companies to account when they fail to prevent, identify or respond to human rights abuses and environmental harms in their operations and global value chains.”

Among the 91 Members of Parliament and Peers supporting the Good Business Matters pledge for this legislation include two Independent MPs whose names may be familiar to Canadian readers: Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn.

PBI-UK also notes that civil society is also in the process of outlining proposals for such laws in Canada. You can read more about the call for The Corporate Respect for Human Rights and the Environment Abroad Act here.

Below you will find key excerpts from the PBI-UK case studies along with our additional context highlighting Canadian links to these companies.

1- Mexico – Soledad-Dipolos gold mine

“Between 2010 and 2013, Minera Penmont, a Mexican subsidiary of Fresnillo PLC, a UK-incorporated company listed on the London Stock Exchange, operated the Soledad-Dipolos open-pit gold mine on communal ejido lands at the El Bajío Ejido in Sonora, Mexico without the community’s consent.”

Fresnillo now also operates in Canada. In January 2026 Fresnillo plc completed its purchase of Toronto-based Probe Gold Inc. that, according to the company, “provides immediate access to the prolific Val d’Or district in Quebec.”

The top holders of shares in Fresnillo PLC can be found here.

2- West Papua – Grasberg gold and copper mine

“The Grasberg Mine in West Papua has been the site of serious and sustained human rights violations against local communities and activists for decades. One of the largest gold and copper mining operations in the world, it is operated by PT Freeport Indonesia; a joint venture between US multinational Freeport-McMoRan (48.76%) and Indonesian state entity PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (51.24%). However, British-Australian multinational mining company Rio Tinto had a production sharing contract for the Grasberg mine from 1996-2018.”

Rio Tinto also operates in Canada. Rio Tinto says: “We are Canada’s largest mining and metals company with people driving progress coast to coast.”

Rio Tinto was at PDAC 2026 in Toronto and is likely to attend this mining convention again on March 7-10, 2027.

The top holders of shares in Freeport-McMoRan can be found here.

3- Colombia – Amerisur oil exploitation

“Oil exploitation by Amerisur, a former UK-listed PLC, reportedly caused pollution and spills in the fragile ecosystem of the Colombian Amazon. …Amerisur has since delisted from the UK and no longer has any UK corporate presence following its acquisition by another company, but the environmental and social legacy of its operations remain.”

Amerisur has been owned by GeoPark Ltd. since January 2020. In April 2025, InfoAmazonia noted: “[The Platanillo block within the municipality of Puerto Asis] is currently managed by La Nueva Amerisur, a subsidiary of GeoPark, which acquired the assets formerly held by Amerisur Resources.”

Calgary-based Gran Tierra Energy has been present in the Putumayo region since at least June 2010. In July 2025, NACLA reported: “Last year, the Canadian oil company Gran Tierra Energy announced the discovery of significant reserves in two regions of Putumayo where the company has been conducting exploration operations.”

Presently the Mocoa project of Vancouver-based Copper Giant Resources Corp. (formerly Libero Copper & Gold Corp.) is of significant concern. The Amazon Pearl Campesina Reserve Zone on the Putumayo River is downstream from Mocoa. PBI-Canada remains attentive to the risks faced by community members who oppose the Mocoa copper-molybdenum porphyry project in Putumayo.

4- Mexico – Eólica del Sur wind farm

“British bank HSBC was one of the original lenders to the Mareña Renovables project [in February 2012], a previous iteration of the wind park which had failed in the nearby community of San Dionisio del Mar [in Oaxaca], and remained so after this wind project evolved to become the Eólica del Sur wind farm [around 2013-2014].”

The Energia Eolica del Sur wind park was inaugurated in May 2019 with an investment of $1.2 billion dollars from the Japanese company Mitsubishi.

In March 2024, the Royal Bank of Canada acquired HSBC Canada for $13.5 billion. HSBC Bank Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of HSBC, was the seventh largest bank in Canada with corporate headquarters in Vancouver.

5- Colombia – Cerrejón coal mine

“From 2000 to 2022, Cerrejón was jointly owned by mining companies on the UK stock exchange: Anglo American, BHP and Glencore. The mine is now exclusively operated by Glencore.”

The top holders of shares in Glencore plc can be found here.

For many year Nova Scotia Power (NSP) and New Brunswick Power (NBP) have imported coal from the Cerrejón mine.

In November 2015, NB Media Co-op reported: “A Colombian union leader, lawyer and survivor of eight assassination attempts [Francisco Ramirez Cuellar with the Federation of Colombian Energy Sector Unions – FUNTRAENERGETICA] told a crowd gathered on November 24 in the province’s capital [Fredericton] that New Brunswickers have a responsibility to know about and act on the blood coal that is leaving his country and being sold to NB Power.”

In September 2022, NB Media Co-op continued to link the Cerrejón mine with coal imports by NB Power.

In September 2026, CTV News reported: “NB Power [has] signed agreements with domestic suppliers of sustainably sourced pellets made from wood and agricultural hemp [that] the Belledune Generating Station would need to replace the coal it currently uses, which is now purchased from foreign suppliers.”

The transition is expected to be completed by 2030.

The José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CAJAR) has detailed human rights abuses and environmental pollution at Cerrejón.

Rosa Maria Mateus, a member of the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers Collective of Colombia (CAJAR), has described La Guajira, the department (province) where the Cerrejon mine is located, as “a region of sacrifice”.

We continue to follow this.

Photo: PBI-Colombia and PBI-Canada met with Rosa Maria Mateus at the CAJAR office in Bogota in July 2022.

Additional reading

–As communities prepare to oppose extractive projects, Canada reaffirms the ‘strengthening’ of the mining-energy sector in Colombia (PBI-Canada, October 21, 2026)

–PBI-United Kingdom report: “human rights defenders need a UK law on mandatory due diligence” (PBI-Canada, November 21, 2024)

–Bank of Montreal calls for due diligence legislation, but funds pipeline companies that criminalize Indigenous water protectors (PBI-Canada, November 23, 2022).

VIDEO 1: PBI-Honduras volunteer Jeanne answers questions about being a brigadista (deadline to apply to join the team is October 30)

By
Brent Patterson
-

In this video, Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project volunteer Jeanne talks about being a PBI-Honduras field volunteer (brigadista) as the project calls for applications (deadline October 30).

Why did you choose PBI for your volunteer work?

“I analyzed the project, and what really caught my attention was the absence of a hierarchical legacy and the emphasis on a horizontal structure. Given the historical context – how cooperation has evolved and how power dynamics have been constructed – I felt that this project, with its political stance rooted in respect, autonomy, and unity, was something I wanted to be a part of. It is a project that holds a deep respect for local struggles and the efforts of those defending their communities.”

What questions or concerns did you have before arriving in the field?

“I remember having some initial concerns—you know, the prospect of living in a shared house, potentially even sharing a room. It wasn’t the sharing itself that worried me, but rather questions about who would be on the team and how we would get along. In the end, I truly fell in love with the people. At PBI, there is so much to learn—from the people you meet and the work you do, to the way we build relationships—and it has turned out to be even better than I had imagined.”

What was your arrival with the team like?

“I really value it, because while one can talk a great deal about concepts like collectivity, teamwork, and integrity, actually living it and forging bonds—both with your brilliant colleagues on the team and with the people on the front lines of these struggles—is an entirely different dimension. It really is a whole other dimension. It is, of course, a job that comes with its own challenges—as any task or role does—but this collective endeavor is deeply important to me, and it is something I would like to continue developing.”

Would you like to know more about volunteering with PBI Honduras?

Applications are now open at pbi-honduras.org.

Apply by October 30, 2026.

123...474Page 1 of 474