eace Brigades International has just won the 2011 Jaime Brunet Prize for its "commendable work" providing support and international protection to human rights defenders, "where they are subjected to attacks or serious threats and their situation is most critical and vulnerable."

The jury for the Jaime Brunet Prize for the Promotion of Human Rights has decided to award the 2011 prize to the NGO Peace Brigades International (Peace Brigades International PBI) for their "commendable work" of support and international protection of human rights defenders human rights, "where they are subjected to attacks or serious threats and their situation is most critical and vulnerable."

The non-governmental organization with headquarters in London (UK) and offices in 14 countries, was presented by its Navarra delegation and endorsed by numerous institutions and individual human rights defenders, mostly from Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. The prize is worth 36,000 euros.

The name of the winner was published this Friday (9th December), the day before Human Rights Day. The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Public University of Navarra.

The jury highlighted the work of volunteers from Peace Brigades International who, after a process of selection and training, "act as observers and guests in conflict areas to deter threats to human rights defenders, thus contributing not only to the protection of human rights, but also to a much more open and diverse society."

The jury recognized "the effort and commitment" made by volunteers from Peace Brigades International to protect threatened individuals and organizations, "accompanying defenders for up to 24 hours a day, advocating at the national and regional level with all parties in all types of conflict, from threatened indigenous villages, to leaders of human rights organizations, to lawyers defending all types of disadvantaged groups."

The jury also assessed the "commendable performance" of Peace Brigades International in awareness-raising and sharing information on the field, and the promotion and creation of open forums to encourage support of human rights defenders. "

The jury is confident that this recognition of Peace Brigades International will "allow them to advance and expand their goals and programs, stimulate the efforts of other organizations in a bid to get a much fairer society, always respectful fundamental rights of human beings. "

JAIME BRUNET FOUNDATION

Jaime Brunet Foundation is a private cultural foundation, whose aims are to promote respect for human dignity, fundamental freedoms and human rights and the eradication of inhuman or degrading treatment. The Foundation promotes activities and studies with these aims.