PBI’s greatest success has been to prove that the model of international accompaniment functions on a day-to-day basis, and that the people we accompany say that they feel safer with PBI’s accompaniment.

Roisin Tully worked in PBI’s office in Brussels for three years. She is Irish with a Master’s Degree in International Relations and has always been interested in human rights. After completing her studies, she was intrigued by the role of the human rights defenders as agents of change in their own societies, and the importance of supporting and protecting them to provide a safe environment in which they can work. Roisin recently moved from PBI Colombia to PBI Spanish State. We spoke with Roisin about political advocacy in Brussels.

PBI: What initially attracted you to PBI and what has changed or remained the same, continuing to motivate you in your work?

Roisin Tully: PBI’s work has always seemed very important to me. Its model allows human rights defenders, whether they are in rural areas or large cities, to feel capable of continuing their work with the visible support of the international community. Additionally, I think the political work we carry out at the regional, national, and international level is a key element of the comprehensive accompaniment model PBI provides. PBI’s policy of non-intervention allows the organisation to focus specifically on protecting those individuals who work to defend human rights.

PBI: What are some of the most important achievements and advancements that the organisation has attained during the time you have worked here?

RT: I think that PBI’s most important achievement is the ability to continue its work in environments known to be incredibly hostile, and that the people and organisations PBI accompanies know they can count on the organisation’s support. At the same time, extending our work to new regions1 demonstrates recognition of the need to adapt ourselves to the changing context of the countries in which we work. PBI’s greatest success has been to prove that the model of international accompaniment functions on a day-to-day basis, and that the people we accompany say that they feel safer with PBI’s accompaniment.

PBI: How has the environment for doing accompaniment in Colombia changed since you started working with PBI?

RT: The way that Colombia is perceived by Member States of the European Union has changed substantially over the past few years. Before, states would express their concern more frequently for the human rights situation and humanitarian crisis in Colombia. Negotiations around the Trade Agreement between the European Union and Colombia have strongly influenced a shift to prioritising commercial issues between stakeholders. At the same time, the change in Colombia’s government has created a more favourable opinion among the international community regarding the attitude of Colombian authorities towards the work of human rights defenders. In this context it is more difficult to communicate the daily reality of Colombian human rights defenders to Europe, but there are still many people from all sectors that have a strong commitment to the country.

PBI: After several years of experience with PBI in different positions, what do you believe accompaniment needs to do in order to adapt to the current political dynamics in the United States, Europe, and Colombia?

RT: The needs of the people and organisations that PBI accompanies guide our work, and in this sense, both physical and political accompaniment is always adapting. International accompaniment now has to confront challenges such as unfounded investigations and judicial proceedings that seek to stigmatise and force human rights defenders to focus on defending themselves rather than concentrate on their work. In addition, the delegitimising of victims’ right to truth, justice, and reparation, combined with the stigmatisation of those who defend this right, is highly concerning and requires close attention figuring out how to confront this challenge.

PBI: In what way has working with an organisation that does international accompaniment in Colombia contributed to your personal growth as someone committed to human rights?

RT: Besides what PBI has given me on a professional level in terms of knowledge gained, PBI has given me much on a personal level. I’ve been able to meet people whose commitment to improving the human rights situation in their country, often at great personal risk, has made a lasting impression on me. The lawyers, community leaders, members of organisations, and communities in resistance that we accompany as PBI are an example of great courage and dignity before thousands of challenges, and many times with impressive good humour!

1  Currently, PBI is broadening its work to include Cauca and Valle de Cauca.