Peace Brigades International (UK)

Who we are

PBI is a leading NGO working to protect human rights defenders at risk. 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 - over 350 peaceful defenders were murdered for their peaceful human rights work in 2021, and thousands more faced threats, harassment, and wrongful arrest.

No other organisation in the world supports threatened human rights defenders in the way PBI does. We stand alongside human rights defenders, we learn from them, and echo their voices. We keep them safe, and we work to ensure their voices are heard.

We provide life-saving support to community leaders and other human rights defenders in some of the most dangerous countries in the world, with field projects in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Our culture and values

Our Vision

We envision a world where people can stand up for their rights, their land, and their communities without fear of violence, harassment, or death. A world where the rule of law protects the brave, not the powerful.

Our Mission

PBI UK protects human rights defenders (HRDs) at risk. We provide a "Global Shield of Solidarity" through:

• Physical Presence: Unarmed international volunteers walk alongside defenders, deterring violence by showing the world is watching.

• Political Pressure: We bridge the gap between grassroots activists and UK policymakers to ensure international protection.

• Capacity Building: We provide the tools—legal, digital, and physical—that communities need to stay safe while they lead their own struggles.

Our Strategy

To meet the rising tide of "lawfare" and environmental displacement, our current focus is on three key pillars:

1. Climate Justice: Prioritising protection for Indigenous land and water defenders who are the front line against climate change.

1. Digital Resilience: Equipping defenders with the cybersecurity tools needed to combat state-sponsored surveillance and online harassment.

1. UK Advocacy: Strengthening our network of legal professionals and MPs to respond rapidly when threats escalate in the field.

Our Guiding Principles

What makes PBI different is how we work. Every action we take is governed by these four core values:

• Non-Partisanship: We do not interfere in the political goals of the people we protect. We defend the right to have a voice, regardless of political affiliation.​

• Non-Violence: We are strictly committed to peaceful conflict transformation and never use or carry weapons.

• Local Request only: We never enter a country uninvited. We only act at the express request of local human rights organisations.

• Internationalism: Our strength lies in our diversity. Our volunteers come from all over the world to show that human rights are a universal responsibility.