Claudia Julieta Duque is a journalist and human rights defender, accompanied by PBI since 2003. Over the years, we have accompanied Claudia Julieta as she has brought her search for justice before different entities and we have monitored her security situation, which is more alarming each day. Due to her investigations and publications on very delicate issues, in particular those related to the participation of the now-dismantled Department of Administrative Security (DAS) in the 1999 murder of political humorist Jaime Garzón. Since 2001, Claudia Julieta has been victim to a plan developed by the DAS, comprised of threats, harassment, persecution, and illegal interception.1 That is when Claudia began her long journey to find justice, which continues today. Continue reading Claudia Julieta Duque’s relentless search for justice
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“Our Political Commitment Keeps Us Alive” –Reynaldo Villalba
The hugs and words of gratitude from those who come to him with hope of justice, are what give the most significance to Reynaldo Villalba’s life. Continue reading “Our Political Commitment Keeps Us Alive” –Reynaldo Villalba
Community organizing to face the pandemic: in the Peace Community solidarity prevails
While the world faces the COVID-19 pandemic and many are experiencing for the first time the unsettling reality of having to consider whether a visit to see family or friends could put oneself in danger, the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, already accustomed to these risks, has been organising. Crisis management and limits on their movements are nothing new in a community that, in their 23 years of non-violent resistance to the armed groups that have controlled this area of Urabá, has seen over 300 of its members killed1. Continue reading Community organizing to face the pandemic: in the Peace Community solidarity prevails
Walking with the defenders
PBI Colombia’s accompaniment is fundamental, since the organizations and communities carry out high risk activities, either due to the complexity of the regions where they work or the issues they address. Continue reading Walking with the defenders
Mario Paciolla 1987 – 2020
Peace Brigades International greatly regrets the sad news of the death of our beloved friend and former colleague Mario Paciolla, originally from Naples, Italy. Mario passed away in the early morning of Wednesday 15 July in the city of San Vicente de Caguán, in the department of Caquetá.
Mario was a volunteer with PBI Colombia between March 2016 and August 2018 and since then he was a volunteer with the second United Nationas Verification Mission in the department of Caquetá. While in PBI, Mario was part of our Bogotá field team and later coordinator of that same team.
His passing is a great loss to his family, friends and collegues, to whom we send all our love and support. In PBI we remember Mario for his strong commitment to the defense of human rights and the protection of human rights defenders in Colombia and worldwide. We also remember him as an extraordinary friend and for his great passion for the work he carried out.
We urge that all the necessary investigations be carried out in order to establish the truth behind this painful event.
Once again we express our sincere condolences and send all our solidarity to Mario’s family, friends and collegues.
Rest in peace, dear friend.
