Today, 22nd April 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day.

On 22nd April this year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the theme is climate action. In order to celebrate this day, PBI draws attention to the plight of environmental defenders who put their lives at risk to protect their territories from economic projects that destroy ecosystems and instigate irreversible damage. 

Only those who are healthy can work with all their strength for human rights. If political and social violence is part of everyday life, the commitment to peace is risky and emotionally stressful. Women also often have to fight against traditional role models. Learn in an interview with Tanja Vultier why psychosocial and gender-sensitive support is so important for human rights defenders. 

In this extraordinary time of uncertainty, fear and instability, Peace Brigades International (PBI) extends our solidarity to all of you who are struggling to remain optimistic in the face of such unique and global challenges.

PBI remains convinced that solidarity, empathy and connection can help us overcome this historic moment and perhaps remind us of the importance of these fundamental human characteristics in the construction of fairer societies based on respect, tolerance and inclusion of all voices.

Protecting defenders

Peace Brigades International has launched an accompaniment project for Nicaraguan organizations, social groups and individual human rights defenders exiled in Costa Rica.  The project seeks to accompany those who have been forced to leave their country due to the escalated political violence but who maintain links with Nicaraguan human rights movements and hope to return once conditions improve.

Today, March 8th we celebrate International Women’s Day.  Peace Brigades International has always supported women human rights defenders, recognizing that the risk they face is distinct to that of their male counterparts.

Since 26th November 2007 the 20th February has been celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice.

The UN states that: “Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality, or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants”. The organization notes that “Social Justice cannot be attained…in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

The UN’s World Day of Social Justice is coming up on the 20 February. The UN notes that: ‘We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants’ and that: ‘social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security, or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms’.