In June 2011, following years of demands by Mexican and international civil society, the Law for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists was approved by the Mexican legislature and signed by then-President Felipe Calderon. The law was championed by the Civil Society Space for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (Espacio OSC), accompanied by PBI.
As a PBI volunteer I was privileged enough to work side by side with Mexican human rights defenders who work relentlessly in their struggle for justice – despite death threats, constant surveillance, attacks, and in some tragic cases, the assassination of their colleagues. Inspirational people who have taught me that the battle for justice should not be confined to the local courtroom
Michael Tamblyn
Mexico, 2006
This is why the work carried out by PBI is so important; we look at repression directly in the face, whilst standing side by side with human rights defenders, a clear demonstration of defiance and international solidarity
Camila Marín
Mexico, 2018-2019
PBI has been a fundamental work experience in my path, it has allowed me to be trained in security related issues and it was a unique life experience. After PBI I began to collaborate with a local organization in Oaxaca with which I have now been working for 9 years.
Emilie DeWolf,
Mexico, 2010-2012
There is a before and an after PBI. It has made me grow personally and professionally
Melissa May
Mexico, 2015-2021
I believe that PBI’s work is very important in the process of opening spaces and creating safe conditions for human rights defenders to continue their legitimate work. Every time we realize that we have contributed one more brick in the construction of justice and the defense of human rights, I think that PBI’s work is worthwhile.
Giusy
Mexico 2017-ahora
Protective accompaniment is effective and necessary. Collaborating with PBI has changed many beliefs that I had, personally I have learned other ways to manage conflicts, non-violent communication, and manage psychosocial impacts
Mar Saiz
México
My years in PBI were the best, most formative, and most inspirational of my life
Ben Leather
Mexico, 2008-2013
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights rules in favor of Tita Radilla, Ines Fernandez Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantu, in three historic cases involving abuses committed by the armed forces, opening the door to key reforms to the military justice code demanded by victims and human rights organisations.
PBI accompanied Tita, Ines and Valentina, as well as other members of the AFADEM and OPIM in the run up to the ruling and during their demands for implementation of the respective sentences.
In February 2009, two indigenous leaders of the Organization for the Future of the Mixteco People (OFPM) were forcably detained during a public act at which local authorities were present. 10 days later, their bodies were disovered with visible signs of torture. PBI accompanied their lawyers, from the ‘Tlachinollan’ Human Rights Centre, due to the increase in threats and harassment they received following the assasinations.