Photo: Charlotte Kesl
munity continues to closely monitor the human rights situation in Colombia and insist that the Colombian state take concrete actions to improve the situation for human rights defenders.
ESTABLISHING THE TEAM IN CALI
In September 2011, PBI received the Order of San Pedro Clave prize, from the diocese of Barrancabermeja, awarded to organizations working to defend and promote Human Rights.
Santos first took office9. This new stigmatisation affecting organisations accompanied by PBI, such as the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collectiven, exposes them to tremendous risk. Likewise, it also represents a subtle attack against their physical safety and legitimacy similar to baseless criminal prosecutions, which continue to have a devastating effect on the work of human rights defenders. For example, in the case of David Ravelo, who has been imprisoned since September 2010, his family and organisation —the Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS)— have recently been the targets of death threats10. Internationally, PBI continued to share its broad firsthand knowledge on the situation in Colombia at bilateral meetings with European, U.S. and Canadian Parliamentarians and Congress members, as well as with State institutions and multilateral agencies, including the United Nations and the European Union. The Free Trade Agreements signed by Colombia with the United States and the European Union have framed PBI’s advocacy work on these two continents. Within this context, PBI carried out advocacy in order to ensure the inclusion of human rights organisations and African-descendant communities within the framework of these treaties. Likewise, due to the grave consequences of these economic projects on human rights, PBI 6
further cooperated with organisations in the United States and Canada on the issues of environmental protection and the exploitation of natural resources. Lastly, PBI successfully strengthened its advocacy capacity before the Organisation of American States. PBI also played an active role in organising international forums and events, such as the Network of Lawyers at Risk in the United Kingdom. Additionally, PBI became an official member of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (2010), and has focused on consolidating its support networks with legal professionals, resulting in high-level support from the legal community in several countries. These networks have supported PBI in developing innovative protection mechanisms for the accompaniment of lawyers as well as with fundraising for protection work. PBI is greatly satisfied that its protection has guaranteed the safety of the accompanied individuals in spite of persisting pressure and threats against emotional, social and physical safety (see Chart A. Summary of death threats). Through political support and physical accompaniment, these organisations have been able to maintain and increase their workspace, as well as strengthen their organising processes. PBI believes it is of the utmost importance that the international com-
Since June 2010, PBI has carried out an exploratory mission in the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca, led by the PBI team in Medellín. This process has deepened PBI’s understanding of the critical situation faced by human rights defenders and social organisations in this part of the country. Furthermore, the exploration has demonstrated the high demand, feasibility and usefulness of international accompaniment for the protection of human rights organisations and communities in a region considered to be an epicentre of the armed conflict in Colombia. In November 2011, the PBI Colombia Project Assembly decided to establish a permanent team in the city of Cali. As of March 2012, PBI will maintain a stable and permanent team of volunteers in the capital of Valle del Cauca, which will focus on providing accompaniment in the departments of South-Western Colombia.
GRADUAL DEPARTURE FROM THE CITY OF MEDELLÍN While the team relocates to Cali, PBI decided to organise a gradual departure from the city of Medellín. After evaluating the work and accompaniment requests received over the last three years, PBI reached the decision that its presence during the last 11 years has contributed to an increased capacity of these organisations for self-protection, reducing the need for ongoing international accompaniment. Nonetheless, the accompanied organisations in Medellín and Eastern Antioquia continue to face a complex situation with respect to their physical safety. In this respect, the PBI teams in Cali and Bogotá will continue to follow up on the requests received from organisations in Medellín, including meetings and specific or emergency accompaniments.