Human rights defenders are at the heart of all we do at PBI.
We provide protection, support and recognition to local human rights defenders who work in areas of repression and conflict and have requested our support. We believe that lasting transformation of conflicts cannot come from outside, but must be based on the capacity and desires of local people. We avoid imposing, interfering or getting directly involved in the work of the people we accompany. Our work is effective because we take an integrated approach, combining a presence alongside human rights defenders on the ground with an extensive network of international support.
Founded in 1981, PBI has many years of experience working alongside human rights defenders, opening and protecting space for peace, conflict transformation and the defence of human rights in 14 countries. We are a life-saving international presence in areas of conflict and repression, and a powerful global advocacy network protecting those on the ground. We have worked in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Sri Lanka, North America, Haiti, Nepal and the Balkans as well as our current field projects in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and Nepal.
Vision and Mission
PBI envisions a world in which people address conflicts non violently, where human rights are universally upheld and social justice and intercultural respect have become a reality.
Principles and Mandate
PBI’s principles are non-violence, non-partisanship, international character and horizontality and our mandate is to create space for peace and to protect human rights.
PBI’s Structure
Our work is based on the principles of non-partisanship and non-interference in the internal affairs of the organisations we accompany. We make decisions by consensus.PBI currently has 7 field projects, 13 Country Groups (+1 associate Country Group) and an International Office, all delegated by the General Assembly to work together to protect and support human rights defenders.
What we do
PBI provides protection and support to individuals, communities, movements and organizations that defend human rights through protective accompaniment, international observation, advocacy, awareness raising and capacity development.