Uprooted Yet Undeterred
Human rights defenders in Colombia continue to stand up for themselves and their communities regardless of forced displacement Dozens of refugees and internally displaced people are human rights defenders (HRDs), but they are not always effectively recognized as such. In this article, we tell some stories about these defenders in Colombia, the challenges their communities […]
Sharing Knowledge About the Collective Protection of Black Women Human Rights Defenders
On June 5, Protection International and the Institute of Black Women – GELEDÉS presented the guidebook “Sharing knowledge about collective protection of black women human rights defenders”, a publication resulting from the series of virtual meetings “Voices of women” which were held in 2020. The booklet compiles information and insights from more than 20 black […]
Experts: Honduras Must Investigate Illicit Actions Denounced in Berta Cáceres Case
June 1, 2021 A month into the trial of a retired military intelligence officer and president of the DESA hydroelectric company, David Castillo, for the murder of Lenca leader Berta Cáceres in Honduras, the Expert Observation Mission remains concerned about the right to the truth and the clarification of the acts that led to the […]
Collective Protection Networks for Remote Rural Communities: A Case Study of the Role of Social Networks in Protecting Rural Communities in Latin America
Working Paper No. 11 Protection International, May 2021 The Human Rights Defender Hub Working Papers Series This Working Paper Series aims to make research related to HRDs freely accessible and to promote further discussion and research. The papers in this series present recent research findings, highlight under-explored issues, and set out theoretical or methodological approaches […]
Guarantees for the Exercise of the Right of Indigenous Peoples to Protest in Colombia
Bogota, May 21, 2021 – Protection International (PI) notes with concern that the Colombian government has failed to ensure the necessary guarantees for the exercise of the right to free association, freedom of expression, and peaceful protest. As it stands, Colombia’s official position does not correspond to the State obligations to respect, guarantee, and protect […]
Colombia: 650 Civil Society Organizations Call for Exhaustive Investigations of Repression of Protests and Call on the IACHR to Act
Colombia, 7 May 2021 The undersigned organizations condemn the excessive use of force by agents of the Colombian security forces in response to the protests that began on April 28 across the country. We call on Colombia to immediately cease the arbitrary and excessive use of force to avoid additional human rights violations against the […]
The Colombian State must Prevent Aggressions Against Indigenous Communities of the CRIC and other Participants of the Protests
The international NGOs subscribing to this statement express their concern for the acts of armed violence against the communities of the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca – CRIC, who participated in the protests that took place yesterday in the city of Cali. On repeated occasions, armed men have fired weapons from pick-up trucks against members […]
Civil Society Organisations Urge the Colombian Government to Guarantee the Right to Peaceful Public Assembly and Demonstration
International civil society organisations urge the Colombian government to guarantee the right to peaceful public assembly and demonstration, which is enshrined in the Political Constitution of Colombia, and to protect the lives of those who exercise it [Bogotá, 3 May 2021] The peaceful marches that have been carried out by Colombian citizens in many cities […]
What do we mean by collective protection?
What do we mean by collective protection and what are its main elements? In the infographic below, we share the key concepts that are needed to better understand collective protection. What is it? Who constitutes a collective of human rights defenders? What are their approaches? And what are some examples within the Colombian context? Protection […]
The Right to Defend Human Rights During COVID-19
Within the framework of the social, economic and public health emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic, Protection International Colombia created the following guidebook aimed at human rights defenders and their communities within the country. This guide contains relevant information and basic recommendations for addressing the risks faced by human rights defenders and communities, which are intensified […]