Impact Report 2018-19

making space for peace
Peace Brigades International UK
Impact Report 2018-19
”
“We are
fighting
for what
is ours

Enhancing
our capacity
Portraits of
Resilience, Hope
and Solidarity
22
18
Financial
Summary
Pro bono partner:
Simmons &
Simmons
23
19
Defending the Environment
is a Risky Business
14-15
Protecting Defenders
of Press Freedom in Honduras
10-11
Guatemala Reflections
by Emily Spence, field volunteer
08-09
Pro bono partner:
The Alliance for Lawyers at Risk
20-21
Who we are
Thank you
03
Championing the
Nobel Peace Prize
nomination
World Press
Freedom Day Event
06
12
2018-19
at a glance
05
Get involved!
24
What does
PBI do?
04
Shoulder to
shoulder with
human right
defenders
Support for the
Central Campesina
Ch’orti’ Nuevo Día’
07
13
Advocating and advising parliamentarians
to support human rights defenders at risk
16-17
Cover photo and caption:
Lilian Borjas
Human Rights Defender, CNTC, Honduras
Contents

The members of The Alliance for Lawyers at Risk and Simmons & Simmons
for their invaluable time and pro bono expertise:
Our patrons for their continued support:
And finally, to Anabel Butler and Anna Mulcahy for their hard work,
and to our dedicated team of twenty office volunteers who have provided essential support
for each department over the past two years.
03
Staff
Susi Bascon – Director
Daniel Lakey – Finance Officer
(until September 2019)
Chris Poole – Finance Officer
Adam Lunn – Advocacy Officer
Laura Grace – Fundraising Officer
Theo Fox – Admin and
Communications Officer
Trustees
Jason Hurwitz (until 2018)
Sophia Kerridge
Deborah Nathan
YukieYokoyama (Treasurer)
Jacob Owen
Tara Jane O’Reilly
Amy Dwyer Neigenfind
Emily Clarke
Field volunteers
Colombia
Hannah Matthews
Morna Dick
Guatemala
Antonia Pérez Bravo
Anabel Butler
Emily Spence
Mexico
Camila Marín Restrepo
Kenya
Hannah Stoate
Who we are
PBI UK would like to thank
PBI UK Staff
Sir Patrick Elias PC QC – President
Guy Beringer CBE QC –Vice President
Sir Peter Roth – Chair
Courtenay Barklem – Gardens Court Chambers
Dr Silvia Borelli – Bedfordshire University
Kirsty Brimelow QC – Doughty Street Chambers
Victoria Channing – Simmons & Simmons
Prof. Christine Chinkin CMG FBA – LSE
Mark Cunningham QC – Maitland Chambers
Monica FeriaTinta – 20 Essex Street Chambers
Tony Fisher –The Law Society of England and Wales
Stephen Grosz QC (Hon) – Bindmans Chambers
Richard Hermer QC – Matrix Chambers
James McClelland – Fountain Court Chambers
Geoff Nicholas – Freshfields
Kelwin Nicholls – Clifford Chance
Chris Owen – Simmons & Simmons
Ben Silverstone – Matrix Chambers
LauraTempleman – Simmons & Simmons
Sir Nicolas Bratza
Sir Henry Brooke CMG (1936–2018)
Lord Carnwath CVO
Julie Christie
John Dew
Sir Patrick Elias PC QC
Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC
Lord Joel Joffe (1932-2017)
Sir Jeffrey Jowell KCMG QC
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
Prof. Jenny Pearce
Sir Nigel Rodley KBE (1941-2017)
Sir Peter Roth
Lord Scott of Foscote
Juliet Stevenson
Samuel West

PBI is a leading NGO working
to protect human rights defenders
at risk in some of the most dangerous
countries in the world.
We provide life-saving support to community leaders.
Each day human rights defenders speak out for the rights
of others. Each day they risk their livelihoods, their liberty
and, in many cases, their lives.Attacks, abductions,
and assassinations are on the increase; 2018 was the deadliest
year on record and 2019 is set to match it.
PBI defends the defenders. On the ground, we provide direct
protection and support, to keep defenders alive and help their
work thrive. Our international observers accompany at-risk
defenders, standing shoulder to shoulder with them in a display
of solidarity that deters violent attacks.
Uniquely, we also provide longer-term preventative support
aimed at building the resilience of human rights defenders -
from security monitoring and psychological assistance
to diplomatic actions and self-protection training.
We also provide protection through our advocacy work
at all levels - from the soldier at a local checkpoint to the
leaders of the UN. Our activities help create the right security,
policy and political environments for defenders to carry out
their work without fear of intimidation.
At a global level, we build expert and political networks
that can be mobilised at short notice to provide much-needed
support.As a preventative approach, we provide defenders
with a platform to amplify their voices, ensuring that their
calls for rights and freedoms are heard by those who can
make a difference.
Our crucial political support building contributes to protecting
and raising the visibility, credibility and legitimacy of human
rights defenders at local, national and international level.
We are also involved in outreach, fundraising and recruiting
and training of volunteers.
What does PBI do?
04
PBI with the Association
of Defenders of Common Goods
in Quimistán, Honduras

05
2018-19
at a glance
Human rights defenders
provided with protection,
advocacy, and capacity building
training in Colombia,
Guatemala, Honduras,
Indonesia, Kenya,
Mexico and Nepal.
600+
MPs’ signatures
on an early day motion
on the implementation
of the Peace Accord
between the
Colombian Government
and the FARC.
86
Video interviews of
human rights defenders
collected for our
new online platform
and multimedia campaign
supporting the
right to defend.
100+
Signatories of a petition
to nominate
the global community
of human rights defenders
for the Nobel Peace Prize
4000+
Profile-raising speaker
tours for
13
Field projects supported
financially in seven different
countries through strategic
advocacy, network and
capacity building,
volunteer recruitment
and funding
7

06
The campaign was very successful in raising the
visibility of human rights defenders and mobilizing
a groundswell of public and political support
globally in favour of their work and situation.
Two open letters to the Nobel committee in
support of human rights defenders for the prize.
High-profile supporters including the Bar Human
Rights Committee, the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk,
the Law Society, the APPG on Human Rights and
the Faculty of Advocates.
Over 4,000 signatures of our online petition.
Significant media coverage in the Independent
(pictured) and theThompson Reuters Foundation,
which helped to promote the legitimacy, credibility
and visibility of the work of defenders.
An impactful Early Day Motion in parliament to
champion defenders for the Nobel Peace Prize.
This helped to raise awareness of the campaign
and human rights defenders among the UK political
community.
Two high profile follow-up events at Parliament
and the Supreme Court, which exposed the
issues human rights defenders face every day and
galvanized political support to keep them alive.
Throughout 2018, we ran a global
campaign championing defenders
for the Nobel Prize, and successfully
raised awareness about the issues
they face, and the important role
they play in upholding the rule of law
and building peaceful societies.
At the request of PBI, UK parliamentarians
and the French government nominated
the global community of human rights defenders
for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.
Championing the Nobel Peace Prize nomination
to celebrate human rights defenders
Kenyan activist Naomi Barasa receives the
2018 Sir Henry Brooke Award for Human Rights Defenders

07
The campaign also encompassed two high-profile debates
in parliament and an event at the Supreme Court of Justice
to engage high-profile decision makers in the UK government
in protection actions for human rights defenders.
The latter was attended by over a hundred high profile
figures from the political, legal, and celebrity community.
The event celebrated the contribution of human rights
defenders to upholding the rule of law and building
peaceful and democratic societies. It served as an opportunity
to engage influential decision-makers with PBI and the work
of defenders, which was key to realising the aim of the
campaign; to build recognition and legitimacy for defenders
among key audiences.
At the event, we also granted two awards in memory
of our beloved patron Sir Henry Brooke to two prominent
human rights defenders from Colombia and Kenya.
To round off the campaign, we provided calls to action
from at-risk defenders that included fundraising asks
in December.This was aided by a social media campaign,
#ShouldertoShoulder, which we executed using a new online
design platform (pictured).
Building on the momentum of the nomination, PBI UK
launched the campaign ‘Shoulder to Shoulder with Human
Rights Defenders’, to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.The campaign
aimed to raise awareness of the issues facing human rights
defenders and increase the visibility and credibility of their
work.We focused on a number of specific groups of human
rights defenders at a time, including land and environmental
defenders and those fighting for the rule of law, to procure
grants and donations from interested parties.
PBI UK launched the campaign on the 9th October 2018
at an event in Parliament chaired by Dominic Grieve MP
and attended by the head of the Human Rights Policy Unit
Paul Edwards, and PBI UK patron and former British
Ambassador John Dew. This event officially launched the
campaign and helped secure commitments from policy-
makers to improve protections for defenders. For example
in December 2018, Minister for Human Rights Lord Ahmad
committed to publish a set of guideless to protect Human
Rights Defenders.The guidelines have been distributed to UK
ambassadors around the world and have informed human rights
defenders of ways in which UK diplomats can offer support.
Shoulder to Shoulder with

08
Reflections
by Emily Spence, field volunteer
Guatemala
Field volunteer Emily Spence with Guatemalan indigenous human rights defenders

My first week in the project; the team were managing emergency after
emergency. Bullets had been fired at the car of a well-known indigenous
rights activist in the middle of the night. In a separate part of the country,
crowds of workers from a hydroelectric company surrounded a house where
the leaders of those opposing the mega-project were gathered, throwing
stones and threatening to kill certain individuals if they came out.
The team in Guatemala City had been immediately informed and were
activating the emergency support network, calling the police to make sure
they arrived on the scene, and staying on the phone to the threatened
individuals until they were safe. We later accompanied them to file a
complaint at the public prosecutor’s office - our presence sadly increasing
the likelihood of them being seen and listened to. I would come to
understand that cases like this were rarely investigated, and the probability
of perpetrators being brought to justice slim to none.
I was lucky enough to meet, accompany, and be inspired by many incredible
people this year. The names I was bombarded with in my first few weeks and
the unknown voices on the other end of the telephone were soon familiar
faces; people who might drop in at any time of the day for a cup of coffee and
a chat. But what I never got used to was the reality they were working in.
In fact, the more I knew about them, their struggles and what they were up
against, the more incredulous I became.
When I think of resistance, I think of the human rights lawyers trying to
put military generals responsible for war crimes behind bars and ensure
that the innocent go free, but without a robust and independent justice
system to back them up.
I think of the Mayan women leading the struggle for indigenous land rights
in Alta Verapaz, the department with the most unequal land distribution,
up against a racist, patriarchal elite. Lesbia and Imelda, the two women
who lead Comité Campesino del Altiplano (CCDA) in Las Verapaces are
targets of constant threats, intimidation, and smear campaigns, questioning
their capacity as leaders and shaming them because they are women.
I think of the Chorti communities in the east setting up a peaceful resistance
camp outside an antimony mine to block access to workers and force the
mine to close, literally dodging bullets but steadfastly refusing to move until
they had won their battle.
I think of the people for whom activism isn’t a lifestyle choice, something
you opt in and out of depending on interest and competing priorities. For
them, it’s part and parcel of the injustice they live day to day, as resistance
is the only way to defend basic rights.
Corruption is at the heart of poverty, injustice and human rights violations
in Guatemala. The year I was there, the fight against corruption faced
severe setbacks as the government sought to consolidate power before the
elections of June 2019. Years of hard won civil society achievements were
being overturned, threatened by legislation being pushed through Congress
granting amnesties for war crimes. Twice we thought we were in the midst
of a coup and set about making emergency plans.
Up against all these political and structural problems, it’s hard not to
question the value of the work we do. But just as you’re losing sight of this,
you hear someone we accompany say that since PBI’s been coming to their
community, the level of conflict has reduced and they don’t experience the
threats that they used to, or that because of PBI they know they’re not alone
and feel motivated to keep fighting.
When you see things deteriorating, it’s easy to assume that the defence
of human rights is having no impact. But what we don’t see is what the
country would look like if human rights defenders weren’t able to do that
work. How many more mines and hydroelectric projects would have been
installed without consulting communities if companies weren’t put off
by the fuss made and the lengthy and expensive court-proceedings they
become embroiled in? One of the main lessons I’ll take away from my year
in Guatemala is that success doesn’t always have to be visible, and in an
environment where the space for dissent is closing in, the very act of
resistance is success.
09
Emily Spence - Reflections from the field - May 2018
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily Spence - Reflections from the field - May 2018
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Protecting Defenders
of Press Freedom in Honduras
10
In response, PBI UK has taken a number of advocacy actions,
which have raised awareness about the challenges and abuses
Honduran journalists and activists face in the defence of
human rights. Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP tabled a question in
Parliament to “ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and
Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of
recent events in Honduras, and the use of force against
protesters by Honduran security forces”.
Further, we held a meeting with the FCO desk officer for
Honduras, to express concern over the excessive use of
force by authorities against demonstrators.
Dina Speaker Tour
In light of the challenges faced by those seeking to hold the
Honduran state and military to account, PBI UK facilitated a
speaker tour for renowned Honduran journalist, Dina Meza.
Dina has been working to expose human rights violations
and defend freedom of expression in Honduras for almost
twenty years. PBI has been providing lifesaving protective
accompaniment to Meza in Honduras since 2014.
Because of PBI’s advocacy efforts, Dina was invited
by Minister of State Lord Ahmad to speak as part
of the panel at a Human Rights Day event organised
by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.This event
marked the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration
on human rights defenders.These actions raised the profile
of both Dina, and the Honduran context more broadly.
During the associated tour, Dina consulted with key
stakeholders from the Foreign Office, members of the
legal community, and multiple journalists to raise awareness
of the human rights issues in Honduras and emphasise
the importance of international support.The Foreign
and Commonwealth Office also met with her as part
of a human rights defender consultation for the new
FCO guidance to posts.
These actions not only raise the profile of human rights
defenders like Dina, they also serve a protective function
for her and her peers. Speaker tours strengthen the physical
safety of activists
Honduras is one of the most
dangerous countries in the world
for human rights defenders and
journalists, who have faced increasing
risk since the political crisis of 2017.
Journalists and lawyers have raised
concerns about the new criminal
code, which threatens freedom of
expression and the press.
Dina Meza speaking at 2018 Foreign & Commonwealth
Office Human Rights Day event.

Dina Meza
Honduran Journalist
I congratulate PBI for organising
this event and would like to thank
them for their protection and
accompaniment during my human
rights work. Without their
protection I believe my name
would be on a forgotten tomb.
“
11
”

World Press
Freedom Day Event
To celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2019,
PBI Honduras and the British Embassy organised
an event in Tegucigalpa to raise awareness of the
difficulties facing journalists in Honduras.
PBI UK produced a 10-minute film based on testimonies
from at-risk journalists, which was screened to raise
awareness of issues relating to press freedom
in Honduras. This film was later shown at the FCO
Media Freedom Conference. After the screening,
discussions were held to increase support for
journalists at risk in the country.
Our efforts amplified our voice within the field of media
freedom advocacy. In response to our communications
with the minister, an invitation was extended to the PBI UK
Director to attend a roundtable with Ambassadors
and High Commissioners who were in London. In July 2019,
PBI UK’s Director was also invited to the Global Conference
for Media Freedom in London, where Foreign Secretary
Jeremy Hunt and Amal Clooney announced the UK
government’s commitments, established a new Global Media
Defence Fund and an international task force to deliver their
commitments on media freedom.
At the conference, footage from the interviews conducted
by the Director were shown to an audience of over
1,000 influential stakeholders. PBI UK’s Director took the
opportunity to raise issues about the lack of investigations
into attacks against human rights defenders and spoke to
Amal Clooney about the need for PBI to engage in
conversations with the High Legal Panel she is currently
leading in support of journalists at risk.
12
Dina Meza,
Honduran Journalist,
Celebrating World Press Freedom Day.
It is safer to be a war journalist
than a journalist writing about
social issues in Honduras, where
around every corner we sense
danger waiting for us.
“
”

13
Due to his work challenging large infrastructure and
hydroelectric projects, CCCND member DomingoVasquez
was subject to multiple death threats in 2018, and reported
sightings of armed men following him home.
The level of danger was critical, so PBI organised a speaker
and advocacy tour for Domingo in October 2018, which
took him and other defenders around Europe. In the UK,
Domingo met with a range of influential actors to highlight the
association’s struggles to register their land and fight against
hydro-projects.
Domingo took part in a Roundtable on criminalisation
in Guatemala, a parliamentary panel event to mark
the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration,
and the launch of PBI UK’s ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ campaign
at Portcullis House in Westminster.
The trip helped to raise awareness of the risks faced
by human rights defenders in Guatemala among key
international actors and helped to expand Domingo’s
support and funding networks. Subsequently when
Domingo received death threats in May 2019, PBI was able
to call on the support network he had created during
his visit. Letters of concern from the UK legal community
and a parliamentary question from Kerry McCarthy MP after
an urgent request from PBI have led to increased awareness
for Domingo and a reduction in threat level.The FCO stated
that they were concerned about the reports of frequent
intimidation and violence against human rights defenders
in Guatemala and that the Embassy is engaging with PBI
to promote consultations with indigenous populations
and better protection for defenders.
Central Campesina Ch’orti’ Nuevo Día’
Emergency support for the
Members of the CCCND
Central Campesina Ch’orti’ Nuevo
Día (CCCND) work in north-eastern
Guatemala, providing support
and legal representation to local
communities campaigning on issues
related to land, environmental,
and cultural rights. Because of
their work, CCCND members
are subject to death threats,
harassment and criminalisation.

14
Defending the Environment
is a Risky Business
Combatting the increasing repression of land and
environmental rights defenders has been a priority
for PBI UK since 2015.With the help of a grant from the
Open Society Foundations in August 2018, we have made
significant progress towards strengthening the physical
and political protection mechanisms for environmental
defenders in Latin America.
A significant part of this is our facilitation of high quality
protections and trainings for land and environmental rights
defenders in partnership with the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk
and the law firm Simmons & Simmons.
Speaker tours
We have found that the most effective way to raise awareness
and strengthen international support networks is by organising
speaker and advocacy tours across the UK for Latin American
land and environmental defenders, which we have focused on
over the past two years.
During 2018 -2019, we have organised 13 speaker tours,
many of which gave a voice to land and environmental
defenders in particular.
For example, In February 2018, PBI UK organised a Speaker
Tour for members of the Peace Community of San José de
Apartadó in Colombia to meet with UK policy-makers at
the Foreign Office. During the speaker tour, representatives
from the Peace Community met with All Party Parliamentary
Group on Human Rights , multiple NGOs and journalists to
raise their concerns regarding economic development projects
and human rights violations in their communities.The tour
allowed the Peace Community’s representatives to discuss
their concerns directly with influential actors and to build an
international support network, which can be galvanised to
secure greater protection measures for the Peace Community
in situations of heightened risk.
Defenders working in land and
environmental rights were murdered
at a rate of four per week in 2018
– the worst year on record - with
thousands more facing persecution,
threats, and violence. Those most
at-risk were those linked to mining,
agribusiness, and the renewable
energy sector.
Padre Alberto Franco
Director of CIJP,
an organisation protecting Afro- Colombian
and indigenous communities in Colombia
The role of PBI has been crucial...
National and International field
accompaniment is fundamental.Why?
What has been demonstrated is that
international presence becomes a
deterrent to attacks and this has
meant saving lives.
“
”

The UN Human Rights Council
15
UN in Geneva: PBI UK advocacy
PBI UK engaged with the UK government and requested
that they raise the issue of human rights defenders at the
40th Session of the Human Rights Council in 2019. PBI UK
attended a pre-meeting with the Foreign Office where we
presented our recommendations, asking the UK to pay specific
attention to UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human
Rights Defenders Michel Forst’s reports on the situation of
women human rights defenders and on Honduras, Mexico and
Guatemala. PBI UK also asked the UK to mention the situation
of land and environmental rights defenders, who face serious
threats and attacks for the work they carry out.
The UK Mission to the UN responded to PBI’s request
and took up our recommendations, makinginterventions
on each of the areas we emphasised.
PBI organised a parallel session to the UN Forum on Business
and Human Rights in collaboration with various members
of the international community, including the UN Working
Group on Business and Human Rights, the Business & Human
Rights Centre and Global Witness.
The session explored the need for enhancing protection of
human rights defenders who speak up against business-related
human rights impacts. It was led by the UN Working Group
in collaboration with NGOs and was comprised of a showcase
of best practice from corporations, an examination of the
growing trend of criminalization and legal harassment of
defenders, and a discussion of concrete action to be taken by
governments, businesses and others to address these issues.

16
Luis Guillermo Perez, Glyn Davies MP
and Nicole Piche, Coordinator of the APPG on Human Rights
Advocating and
advising parliamentarians
to support human rights defenders at risk

Mobilising Parliamentarians
We have mobilised MPs on thematic issues at times of peril
for at-risk groups of activists such a land and environmental
or women human rights defenders. Over the past two years,
we have emphasised the necessity of the UK government’s
support of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles
on Business and Human Rights.
PBI UK provided briefings to MPs for debates on Women
Human Rights Defenders and the situation in Colombia.
Following a request from PBI UK,Ann Clwyd MP tabled three
questions on the protection of women human rights defenders
to celebrate International Women’s Day 2019.These questions
have ensured that their struggle remains on the UK’s agenda.
Despite the Peace Accords, attacks
continue in Colombia
We have also engaged in long term advocacy campaigns on
behalf of human rights defenders in specific countries, such
as Colombia. Since the signing of the peace accords, there
has been a worrying rise in attacks against human rights
defenders in the country, with neo-paramilitary groups
and other illegal armed actors gaining strength and moving
into areas vacated by the FARC. Human rights defenders,
journalists, indigenous and Afro-Colombian leaders, and other
community activists have faced death threats and violence.
In response to the worsening human rights context, PBI UK
organised a speaker tour in April 2018 for the Colombian
lawyer and human rights defender Luis Guillermo Perez, who
works for the lawyers collective CAJAR to tackle impunity and
secure justice for victims of the Colombian conflict. During
the speaker tour, PBI UK facilitated a meeting between Luis
Guillermo and Jeremy Corbyn MP. Luis Guillermo raised
the systematic assassinations of human rights defenders in
Colombia with Jeremy Corbyn and the evidence gathered by
CAJAR that was later submitted to the International Criminal
Court to open an investigation into the killings. Jeremy Corbyn
expressed his support for the work of the lawyers collective
CAJAR, and for the Colombian peace process. Following the
speaker tour,TheTimes newspaper published an article about
Luis Guillermo and CAJAR, mentioning the work of PBI.
In March 2019, Patrick Grady MP tabled an early day motion
on the implementation of the Peace Accord between the
Colombian Government and the FARC.This early day motion
has received 86 signatures from across the political spectrum.
In 2019, PBI UK submitted evidence to the Foreign Affairs
Committee inquiry into Human Rights Defenders and also
“Global Britain and South America”.The evidence had a specific
section on the risks facing land rights defenders in Colombia
and the root causes of the violence they face.
PBI UK contributes to FCO policy
paper: UK Support for Human
Rights Defenders
In 2018 and 2019, PBI provided regular updates on the
situation of human rights defenders to the FCO geographical
desks of Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras,
alongside focused agenda setting campaigns at critical moments.
PBI UK met with the new desk officer for Guatemala and
Honduras in February 2019, in response to concerns about
the human rights situation in those countries. In Guatemala,
26 human rights defenders were murdered in 2018, following
the undermining of legal institutions and protections across
the year. Similarly, Honduras has seen a sharp rise in targeted
attacks against human rights defenders and journalists since the
election in late 2017, the majority committed by state security.
In July 2019, the UK Government released a policy paper
outlining the importance of human rights defenders to the UK
and how they would support them.The policy was developed
in close consultation with a number of non-governmental
organisations including PBI UK. The document has been made
available online in all six UN languages, and sent to all posts in
the UK diplomatic network for use in their work with human
rights defenders.The document has also been circulated on
external websites such as Human Rights Watch, Global Witness,
and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Following
the publication of this paper, the FCO and DFID have pledged
to continue to reach out to human rights networks,
NGOs and human rights defenders.
17
Excerpt from PBI UK’s submission
to the Foreign Affairs Committee
inquiry into Human Rights
Defenders, which was published in
November 2019
The FCO’s work on HRDs
could be further enhanced
through developing an
integrated cross-departmental
strategy on Human
Rights Defenders.
“
”

Sample social media content produced for the campaign
18
PBI UK are working closely with the filmmaker and
photographer ManuValcarce on ‘Portraits of Resilience,
Hope and Solidarity’, a multi-media, multi-platform
communications and awareness campaign, celebrating the
right to defend.Whether they are fighting for social equality,
access to justice and a fair trial, or land, environmental and
indigenous rights, the risk they take are many.We believe
their stories set an example of solidarity and humanity that
needs to be heard.
We will produce a 60-minute documentary film, online
platform, photographic exhibition, and social media campaign
presenting the work of around 100 at-risk grassroots human
rights defenders in Latin America,Africa and Asia.
Through these resources, we will publicly celebrate the
resilience and motivation of grassroots human rights defenders
on the frontline of the global fight for universal human rights.
So far, approximately100 stories of human rights defenders
have been recorded across four countries (Colombia,
Honduras, Mexico and Nepal) alongside photographic material.
We aim to show the documentary at a range of film festivals
next year.The photographic portraits will be debuted at an
exhibition held atThe Law Society in London, before touring
city firms throughout 2020.The online multimedia platform
will enable PBI to further its impact as a global entity across
21 countries for campaigning, advocacy and awareness-raising
to enhance the protection of human rights defenders.
Photos by ManuValcarce
Portraits of Resilience, Hope and Solidarity
Right to Defend:
Over 100 testimonies, video interviews,
and an online platform supporting the right to defend.

19
Pro bono partner:
Simmons & Simmons
SImmons & Simmons hosted a Roundtable on the business
and human rights toolbox, which featured discussion covering
the role of business in relation to human rights, and the specifics
of the toolbox, including how it could be adapted to different
contexts and implemented on the ground.The Roundtable was
attended by NGOs, lawyers, FCO officials and academics.
We also produced videos based on the factsheets, featuring
lawyers from Simmons & Simmons. By increasing the
knowledge of defenders and vulnerable communities, the
toolbox has already contributed to building a strong civil
society that protects human rights in the face of competing
corporate interests.
The toolbox is currently being piloted in Colombia and
Honduras and will be incorporated into the training
programmes of defenders working on business and human
rights within a range of local networks.Accessible training
manuals based on the factsheets are being produced for
peasant and indigenous communities facing corporate
abuse, so they can benefit from the expertise and content
of the toolbox.
We are deeply grateful for the support
of Simmons & Simmons on the development of the toolbox
and hope to continue working together for years to come.
Together, we produced the first centralised online resource
for rural communities and lawyers dealing with corporate
human rights violations: the ‘Human Rights Defenders
Toolbox’, which has been shortlisted for the 2019
Law Society Excellence in Pro Bono Award.
The toolbox comprises 16 fact sheets on a range
of legal topics, including the UN Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights, with specific recommendations
for human rights defenders denouncing corporate abuse.
It covered a variety of pertinent themes, including
free, prior, and informed consent.
PBI Director Susi Bascon and Simmons & Simmons lawyer
Victoria Channing designed the project and worked closely
with the rest of the pro bono team to ensure the toolbox
was tailored to the needs of human rights defenders.
Over the past year, PBI has consulted with Colombian
lawyers and defenders to gather feedback on the factsheets
and adapt them accordingly.
Since the launch of this toolbox, Simmons & Simmons
has provided continued legal expertise, funding,
as well as support and solidarity for human rights
defenders they have met during PBI SpeakerTours
in the UK.
Over the past three years, we have strengthened our partnership with the
law firm Simmons & Simmons. Their compassion towards the needs of
human rights defenders pays testament to their commitment to pro bono
work and proves that they are indeed ‘MORE THAN JUST LAWYERS’.
Simmons & Simmons lawyers
Richard Dyton (pro bono partner) and
Victoria Channing (head of pro bono)

20
Pro bono partner:
Timeline 2018-19
January 2018
Called on the Kenyan government to implement legislation that
would enable human rights organisations to function without
fear of harassment.
March 2018
Wrote to the Mexican Ambassador in the UK on the case of
criminalised human rights lawyers and human rights defenders
in Mexico. On January 7th 2018, in the context of a community
resistance to a hydroelectric project - eleven people lost their
lives and 38 local leaders and human rights defenders were
detained.The victims have been given legal support by the
Tlachinollan Human Rights Centre, whose lawyers were under
threat.The local lawyers stated that the Alliance intervention
was crucial in improving their protection. On the 8th of June
2019 the remaining 16 human rights defenders were finally
released from jail.
August 2018
Wrote to the newly inaugurated Colombian President Ivan
Duque welcoming him to his appointment and urging him to
uphold the rule of law and protect lawyers at risk.
October 2018
Met with Nepali lawyer Badri Bhusal, chairman of the COCAP
Network which represents victims of gender based violence
and defends the rule of law in Nepal. During his visit Badri
spoke at a parliamentary event chaired by Dominic Grieve MP
‘Celebrating the Contribution of Human Rights Defenders
to the Rule of Law’.At the Alliance’s request, the British
Embassy in Kathmandu invited him to a meeting (see below),
and the UK continued to offer him support.
December 2018
The Alliance supported an international observation mission
of the trial of the “12 Apostles” in Colombia, to apply public
scrutiny and moral pressure in support of a fair trial and
/the granting of appropriate procedural protections.
Alliance member Kirsty Brimelow conducted the observation
on behalf of the Bar Human Rights Committee andThe
Alliance.
February 2019
The Alliance wrote to the newly appointed president
of Mexico Lopez Obrador congratulating him on his taking
office and drawing his attention to the serious international
concern regarding the protection of human rights defenders
within Mexico.
April 2019
The Alliance wrote to the Ambassador for Guatemala in the
United Kingdom AciscloValladares Molina expressing concern
about the trend towards the criminalisation of Human Rights
Defenders in the country.
is an independent UK-based
pro-bono network that provides
moral and legal support to lawyers
and human rights defenders working
in precarious circumstances.
Pro bono work is vitally important to
the struggle for human rights across
the world, and significantly increases
the safety of those fighting for it.
The Alliance was founded in 2010 by PBI UK patron,
the late Sir Henry Brooke CMG, and has since collaborated
with PBI in providing legal expertise to the human rights
defenders PBI accompanies.
It is currently under the leadership of Sir Patrick Elias,
a former high court justice. As a patron and President of the
Alliance, Sir Patrick has been instrumental in voicing concern
on behalf of lawyers and other human rights defenders
at risk and reminding governments around the world the
importance of upholding the rule of law.

We are aware that Mexico is
facing many difficult circumstances
and therefore write to you to
respectfully request that the new
government take steps to uphold
and strengthen the rule of law and
protect legal practitioners and
human rights defenders.
Letter to the president of Mexico
from the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk
“
”
21
Best practice: forcibly
disappeared indigenous
human rights defender
returned safely after
international pressure.
Over the past two years, we have mobilised our political
support network to announce calls to action at times of
heightened risks for individual human rights defenders,
like Obtilia Eugenio Manuel.
Obtilia is a land and environmental rights defender and
member of the Organization of Me’Phaa Indigenous
Peoples in the municipality of Ayutla de los Libres, Mexico.
Following serious threats, on February 12th 2019,
Obtilia and her companion were disappeared. PBI issued
an urgent alert, calling on the Mexican authorities to find
them, guarantee the safety of the Organisation members,
and investigate the disappearance.
Following our request, the Alliance sent a letter of concern
to minister Sir Alan Duncan noting their concerns around
the disappearance. Letters were also sent to the Mexican
Embassy and high profile NGOs and legal groups.
Due to pressure from the international community,
on February 16th Obtilia and Hilario were released alive.
This is the first time on record that
a disappeared defender has been returned
alive in the state of Guerrero.

Our work is only possible
because of the generous
individuals and organisations
who support us.
We are very grateful to the grant-giving charitable trusts who
fund our human rights work, including the BromleyTrust, the
Harbour Foundation, the Joffe CharitableTrust, the Network
for Social Change and theTinsley Foundation.We also want to
extend our thanks to those funders supporting at-risk land and
environmental rights defenders: the Evan Cornish Foundation,
the Frederick Mulder Foundation, the Law Society Charity and
the Open Society Foundations.
Thank you to the Simmons & Simmons Charitable Foundation
for supporting our capacity building work with rule of law
defenders, and to the Allan and Nesta Ferguson Foundation
for enabling us to raise the profile of defenders through our
multi-media project ‘Right to Defend: Portraits of Resilience,
Hope and Solidarity’.
We are grateful to the committed individuals who support us:
all of those who donated to our ‘Shoulder to Shoulder with
Human Rights Defenders’ appeal, our dedicated runners, and
particularly to our regular donors. Long-term donations mean
we are better equipped to react to emergencies and plan
ahead to increase the safety of human rights defenders at-risk.
FundraisingAppeal
s £13,103.5 Individuals
£15,559.15
T
rusts & Foundations £197,691
%
6 7
87
Funds Raised
in 2018
to increase the safety
of human rights defenders
Enhancing our capacity
22

Summary statement of financial activities
for the year ended 31 December 2018
2018 2017
Income £ £
Donations and Legacies 214,370 266,443
Other Trading Activities 11,930 1,568
Bank Interest 54 -
Training Fees - 660
Total Income 226,354 268,671
Expenditure £ £
Raising Funds 52,152 63,368
Charitable Activities 193,480 187,004
Total Funds 245,632 250,372
Net Income / (Expenditure) (19,279) 18,299
Balances brought forward 89,922 71,623
Balances carried forward 70,645 89,922

Full accounts and Trustees report for the year ended 31 Dec 2018
is available from the Charity Commission and Companies House.
Financial
summary
Donors 2018-19
Allan and Nesta Ferguson Foundation
AW.60 Fund
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
Bromley Trust
Calpe Trust
Edith M Ellis 1985 Charitable Trust
Evan Cornish Foundation
Frederick Mulder Foundation
Garden Court Chambers
Harbour Foundation
Joffe Charitable Trust
Law Society Charity
Matrix Causes Fund
Mirianog Trust
Network for Social Change
Open Society Foundations
Simmons and Simmons Charitable Foundation
Taylour Foundation
The Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust
The Tolkien Trust
Tinsley Foundation
PEACE BRIGADES INTERNATIONAL UNITED KINGDOM SECTION
Charity registration number 1101016, Company registration number 3912587
23

Volunteer in the UK
http://bit.ly/UKvolunteer
Volunteer in the Field
http://bit.ly/fieldvolunteer
Fundraise for PBI UK
http://bit.ly/PBIfundraise
Make a Donation
http://bit.ly/PBIUKdonate
Follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/PBIUK
Like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pbiuk
Read our Newsletter
http://bit.ly/PBInewsletter
Contact us at PBI UK
+44 (0)20 7281 5370
admin@peacebrigades.org.uk
”“Get
Involved!
making space for peace
Mexican defender Gabino Gomez (left) with PBI UK team (middle) and PBI field volunteer (right)

Impact Report 2018-19

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