PBI: 40th Anniversary Timeline
40 years ago, in 1981, a group of international activists came together to create a movement for peace, solidarity and non-violent action. Inspired by non-violent activism across the world, inlcuding the movement spearheaded by Gandhi in India and the Civil Rig
2020 Annual Review
See our 2020 Annual Review for information about last year’s activities as we celebrate our 40th anniversary.
40 years ago, in 1981, a group of international activists came together to create a movement for peace, solidarity and non-violent action.
Tropical Storms in Guatemala: "Only the people can save the people.”
“The communities in rural areas were caught by the storm while they were sleeping and had to escape then and there, leaving all their belongings, clothes, food and animals. Entire communities were completely flooded, and the waters have still not receded.
Freedom of Press in “Red Zones”
Being a journalist or social or community communicator in Guatemala is a high risk activity. According to the Reporters Without Borders 2020 report on freedom of the press, Guatemala is now in the “red zone”, ranked 116 out of 180 countries worldwide. The same report states that: “The new president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, who took office in January 2020, inherited a disastrous situation in terms of freedom of the press.
Violation of the right to self-determination of indigenous peoples during the pandemic. The case of the Maya Ch'orti’ people
The indigenous peoples of Iximulew, which was renamed Guatemala during the colonial era, have been claiming the right to free determination over their economic, social and cultural development and the territory which they inhabit for years and using their own forms of governance. This right is recognized internationally through two legal instruments ratified by the Republic of Guatemala: ILO Convention 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Defending the Earth continues despite Coronavirus
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.
The first hearing in the case of the 41 girls who burned to death, and the 15 survivors of the Virgin of the Assumption Safe Home, was cancelled
Although two years and eight months have passed since the tragedy, the public trial was due to begin on October 22, but the first hearing was cancelled at the last moment. The lawyer of the defendant Anahí Keller petitioned for the replacement of the assigned judge on the basis that he has already expressed an opinion on this case. As a result of this action the start of the trial was delayed once again.
To avoid climate breakdown, we must protect those who protect the environment
Today, 20th September 2019, the environment takes centre stage as people across the world join in a Global Climate Strike, urging governments and the private sector to take concrete action in order to avoid further deterioration of our climate and the manifold human rights impacts that this would imply.
Organizations express concern for the Historical Archive of the National Police
During the last week of May, the worrying situation at the Historical Archive of the National Police (AHPN) came to the fore once more. In the month of July of 2018, Gustavo Meoño, director of the archive since 2005 was dismissed without notice or explanations. Since the beginning of 2019, staff have been gradually, but continually, dismissed. Today only 35 people are left working at the Archive, when at its peak the Archive had a team of 200 workers.
Eduardo Bin Poou absolved for the crime of aggravated trespassing
Eduardo Bin Poou, a Q’eqchi human rights defender and vice president of the Fishermen’s Association of El Estor, Izabal, was acquitted on Friday, May 3, 2019.
Eduardo was arrested on June 29, 2018 in El Estor, Izabal and charged on July 9 with the crime of trespassing on protected areas. Since then he has been deprived of his liberty in the prison of Puerto Barrios. His legal defense was led by two lawyers from the Human Rights Law Firm (BDH), Francisco Vivar and Santiago Choc, and PBI accompanied the case.