We are committed to our work and believe in its life-saving effectiveness. Fortunately, we're not the only ones. Here's what international diplomats and those we accompany have said about Peace Brigades International.

• Embassies and Governments
• United Nations
• Activists in Colombia
• Activists in Guatemala
• Activists in Indonesia
• Activists in Mexico
• Activists in Nepal
• Activists in Haiti
• Activists in Sri Lanka

"By [its] long-term approach, PBI is, as one of the very few international NGOs present in Aceh, instrumental in creating the environment that may lead to a peaceful solution to Aceh's problems."

Luk Darras, Belgian Ambassador to Indonesia, Jakarta (Indonesia), 2002

"PBI is the most reliable source of information on Aceh."

Hans Doctor, First Secretary, Governance and Human Rights, Royal Dutch (Netherlands) Embassy in Indonesia

"...the embassy, on behalf of the Government of Canada, appreciates and admires the work which you are carrying out...I have no doubt at all that you are saving lives and that you are giving critical support to Colombian NGOs...I believe it is no exaggeration to say that the whole diplomatic community supports this work".

Nicholas Coghlan, Advisor, Canadian Embassy in Colombia

"...I, too would like to pay tribute to the work of Peace Brigades International and to the bravery of the volunteers. Through their work, they are able to provide the sort of protection in Choco, Urabá and elsewhere that the armed forces cannot provide."

Tony Lloyd (Ex-Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Government, April 1999)

"...I would like to congratulate the members of PBI for their contribution and for their presence in Colombia for the last five years. This is no ordinary message of thanks, it is a serious and genuine expression of gratitude on behalf my government, myself and civil society, and the respect we feel for the moral strength each one of you has displayed in your work devoted to the human and humanitarian values that are the foundation of every civilised and democratic nation...I will repeat that Colombia and the international community need them, as an example of humanitarian action as a peaceful method of protecting human dignity and the values enshrined by society amidst the confusion and violence surrounding them...

Gisbert Boss, Dutch Ambassador to Colombia

"..I’ve been very privileged to be accompanied by PBI...throughout the last two days I have had first hand experience of the kind of security their presence instills in those who work for the promotion and protection of human rights in the most dangerous circumstances. ..As a human rights defender myself I’m well aware of the risks that defenders face. ... It is clear from what I hear in my capacity as the UN special representative for human rights defenders, and from my own life experience, that protection really does come from those who work with us... and this is the mainstay of what PBI does...Accompaniment does not just mean protection, it means support to be able to continue the work that we do."

Hina Jilani, UN Special Representative for Human Rights Defenders, 2005

"...study after study shows large gaps in both international and national efforts to protect Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). In light of this gap, it is with great appreciation that I take note of the role of PBI in assisting community activists through such invaluable activities as the accompaniment of displaced populations returning to their home communities and human rights monitoring. "
Walter Kälin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the Human Rights of IDPs

"I have taken every opportunity to sing the praises of PBI at meetings with the donor community, and will continue to do so. I strongly believe that PBI performs essential functions in a very difficult and dangerous environment, and does so in a thoroughly professional manner with an open, cooperative humanitarian spirit."
Michael Elmquist, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Indonesia, Jakarta (Indonesia), 2002

"... a world wide co-operation for the sake of human rights. That is why the work that Peace Brigades International is doing is so important. It is a very concrete initiative by individuals from all over the world, regardless of their way of thinking or their political or cultural affiliation, to promote human rights in a concrete situation by working for the people where accompaniment and solidarity are most needed...Many thanks, and once again many congratulations on behalf of my office and of the United Nations Organisation".
Anders Kompas, Director of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

“I have been asked in particular to express [Dennis McNamara, the IDD Director and Special Advisor on Internal Displacement to the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator]’s gratitude, and that of the ERC Jan Egeland, to PBI for your valued efforts to raise the profile of the internal displacement issue among the Member States and institutions of the European Union, as well of course for the crucial and indeed courageous work that you are undertaking in a number of displacement-affected states around the world.�
Simon Bagshaw, Inter-Agency Internal Displacement Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA IDD)

 "...(PBI's) important and persistent work of accompaniment and observation in this country has undoubtedly contributed to the defence of human rights and the protection of the population displaced by the violence in Colombia... Many years of experience in different parts of the world have informed and transformed the work of accompaniment and observation, now practised in exemplary fashion by the PBI team in Colombia".

"...In particular I would like to emphasise the difficult work which PBI carries out in conflict areas of this country, such as the Magdalena Medio and Urabá regions, in defence of the right to life and the conditions necessary for carrying out humanitarian human rights work in these regions. I hope these links of co-operation will become stronger with the opening of UNHCR's sub-offices in these regions".
 Leila Lima, Director of the Colombian Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Guatemala, 1999

"In Europe the support of the PBI Colombia European representative has been very important during the meetings of the UN Human Rights Commission (now Human Rights Council) in Geneva. I would also highlight her work in helping to represent the 107 cases of extrajudicial killings to the UN special repporteur. and her work with Jina Jilani the UN special representative for human rights."

Liliana Uribe, lawyer and founding member of Corporation for Judicial Liberty (CJL) Medellin

"PBI has helped us to maintain the level of our work especially in investigating cases in regions where because of security risks we would otherwise have been unable to travel. It has meant we have been able to stay in the country rather than go into exile…there have been no lethal attacks against us while PBI has been present. Accompaniment also increases respect in our dealings with the authorities. When I go out to do legal work my family asks me 'Is PBI going with you?"

"In addition to physical accompaniment, PBI is a witness to the reality we face and a valuable source of reliable information…PBI volunteers continue to be ambassadors when they return to their home countries and this represents a globalisation of solidarity for human rights."

Dr Reynaldo Villalba Vargas, Lawyers Collective Jose Alvear Restrepo, Colombia, 2006

"Many communities like Carcarica might have ceased to exist without accompaniment… your work has been a deterrent which translates into a means of protecting our communities."

Marcos Velasco, CAVIDA, 2005

"The majority of PBI's members have a profound humanitarian vocation. Our great respect and admiration for their altruistic work, as well as our enormous gratitude links us with PBI. I can say with certainty that if we are still alive, it is mainly because of PBI's work."

Luis Guillermo Pérez Casas, member of the Lawyers' Collective "José Alvear Restrepo", Bogota, Colombia, 2002

"All members of CREDHOS recognize and give public testimony to the favourable impact of the work of PBI volunteers and the gains you've made since 1994 in different regions of Colombia affected by grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law."

Chico Campo, Regional Corporation for Human Rights, Barrancabermeja, 2002 (Colombia)

"It is important to recognize that the accompaniment work of PBI has been carried out permanently, unconditionally, and in solidarity. At the same time it has the transparency and neutrality demanded of humanitarian work in the middle of the war that we live through in Colombia."

Yolanda Becerra, Popular Women's Organization, Barrancabermeja (Colombia), 2002

"To speak of the importance of Peace Brigades International presence in the region over the last five years is to speak of the possibility of life...attacks and threats have come up against the solid wall which Peace Brigades International has become in the region. The death sentences against each and every one of us have not been carried out, only because we are not alone, because we have Peace Brigades International's accompaniment and unconditional defence."

Francisco Campo, Regional Organization for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS) 1999

"In the midst of barbarity their presence has enabled us, the citizens and inhabitants of this country, to continue accompanying the displaced communities, those in the process of return, and the peace communities... has prevented the numbers of assassinated, disappeared, tortured and newly displaced persons from multiplying even more than they have done...It has meant protection for us, but more importantly the chance for the communities to rebuild all that was destroyed.""...Thank you for all this, thank you for these five years, thank you for assuming the risk of living in this country, thank you for the hope which you have made possible to build".

Danilo Rueda, Inter-Congregational Justice and Peace Commission

"International accompaniment is very important because powerful interests will think twice before trying to attack us. There are always people on the street corners spying on us to watch our movements. So when they see that internationals are physically entering our offices, this helps us tremendously. "

Aura Elena Farfán, Guatemalan Families of the Disappeared, Guatemala City (Guatemala), 2002

"Peace Brigades must know that it has carried out wonderful work by protecting us...in a selfish, dehumanised world you gave the best that you have. ...You taught me so much...I have learned that peace is not achieved through violence, violence only brings more violence."

Nineth Montenegro, Mutual Support Group for Families of the Detained and Disappeared, now a member of Congress for the Democratic Front of Guatemala.

More than 300 volunteers from many countries left their lives and comforts behind to accompany people whose lives had no value for other Guatemalans. Silently, daily, often through fatigue and stress they made good on the one thing necessary to achieve peace: ' to love your neighbour as yourself'...thank you, brothers and sisters for accompanying us for these 16 years. ..You made possible what to me in the darkest hours of our people seemed impossible: to save the lives of those destined for death by repressive forces."

Julia Esquivel, poet

"The work of PBI shows that the accompaniment of people who suffer from authoritarianism, intolerance and state violence is invaluable and necessary, making the struggle for human rights more effective and the dream of democracy into a reality. PBI leaves Guatemala with the satisfaction of a mission accomplished and with great challenges ahead in other places where its presence and accompaniment are needed as a moral force and a support."

Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel peace laureate, goodwill ambassador for UNESCO

"Words cannot express our thanks for what you do. Without you we could not continue our work."

Guatemalan mother whose son was disappeared

Peace Brigades International has given invaluable support to help refugees leave Central America in a secure fashion, and to create the necessary conditions they need to live safely in their own countries.

Nancy Pocock, refugee lawyer 1989

I honestly think that without PBI, GAM (Mutual Support Group of Relatives of the Disappeared) would not exist at this moment. ... PBI played a decisive role by supporting GAM through what could be called a human rights nightmare.

Jean-Marie Simon, journalist, author of 'Guatemala: Eternal spring, eternal tyranny' 1998

Indonesia

"The physical presence of PBI at the human rights trial gave us the feeling of security and moral support. For us, and especially for the victims of torture, PBI's presence reminded us that the international community had not forgotten us."

Maya, Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) , Indonesia 2006

"Because of my work as a human rights activist I have been intimidated, terrorised, and detained. I had to be evacuated in a freight plane and even thought I would have to leave the country. Since PBI has protected me I feel a lot safer. I can work more self confidently and openly and don't have to hide any more.'

Matius Murib, Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), Papua, Indonesia, 2006

"PBI makes us brave, which is very important for our job. Sometimes we have to go to dangerous places and the existence of PBI makes us more secure in this sort of travel. PBI really helps us to make a space so we can travel and do our job in defending people without fear."

Afridal, Director, LBH Banda Aceh, Indonesia

"PBI provides us with strong support. Before your accompaniment we were very fearful about carrying out our work and there were many difficulties with the authorities. Accompaniment helps us to work with greater security and confidence. International opinion is important to our government and for this reason when we are accompanied by an international organisation, they have to be more careful with us. There isn't so much harassment and surveillance by military intelligence. For the families, if they know foreigners are accompanying them above all, it boosts their confidence and gives them greater peace of mind. In general accompaniment has greatly facilitated our work."

Tita Radilla Martinez, Afadem (Association of Relatives of the Detained, Disappeared and Victims of Human Rights Abuses) 2006

"In Mexico,..there are systematic and selective violations, which, to some degree, can be stopped by the international pressure provided by organizations such as PBI. This is very important in preventing further aggression against human rights defenders."

Emiliana Cerezo, Mexico City (Mexico), 2002

"We are convinced that the presence of PBI is important, and so we are demonstrating to the government, NGO's, and society in general, the viability of this other form of accompaniment. Our decision was based on the fact that PBI's presence could ensure an adequate level of security for us."

Edgar Cortez, Director of the Center for Human Rights Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez, Mexico City (Mexico)

"When we have threats, we tell PBI who activates their own internal mechanisms -the alert network, or meeting with ministers, ambassadors, and giving us protection on our trips to speak with victims and authorities where we have to raise the issue of human rights violations. The PBI volunteers don't intervene or do our work, rather they give us international moral support.' -

Advocacy Forum staff member, 2007

"Distinguished members of PBI,

I offer you a basket full of thanks for having worked during five years in Haiti and for having introduced me to non-violent conflict transformation. The seeds that you have sown have started to sprout and are growing. The GFP will take over and ensure that the work continues. In the name of all members of GFP, let me say to you: Go in Peace, because the GFP will be working for a culture of Peace in Haiti."

Pierre Ernst, member of Trainers for Peace (GFP) and of SKDE (Sant Kretyen pou Devlopman Entegre), letter, June 2000

"In the name of the Haitian people, I would like to thank you all for your tremendous work promoting peace and nonviolent social justice in our country. "

Luckner Jean Baptiste, PIDA (Projet Intégré pour le développement Alternatif and GFP), July 2000

"PBI is quite different from most other international NGOs I have come across...PBI safeguards rights on the front line by risking their own most basic rights: right to life, dignity and liberty of person. PBI urges that it is the right and duty of all people to safeguard the human rights of all people regardless of nationality, colour, religion, etc., again through a personal and practical demonstration.

Wimal Fernando, Movement for the Defence of Democratic Rights, Sri Lanka

"We have put in touch with PBI Tamil people who have felt at risk and we know they have followed up each of the cases. Their presence at the forced closure of the Vivekananda camp for the displaced in Colombo was also very opportune and we were very grateful that they were present when no-one else was. We think the authorities themselves were on their guard because PBI were present.

"They also covered a meeting and rally in Colombo in February 1994 to commemorate the assasinations of two human rights activists. The police tried their utmost to prevent some parts of the programme and were out in force. We were quite concerned on the day that violence and disruption would result and here again PBI were quite prominently placed and all of us felt that their presence may have acted as a deterrence."

"Finally, PBI worked closely with both INFORM and the Movement for Free and Fair Elections, assisting our efforts to monitor the Parliamentary election held on the 16th of August. The presence of non-Sri Lankans during this time was critical since the pre-election period was marked by unprecedented violence and violations of election laws."

Kundumini Samuel, INFORM Sri Lanka, 1993

"I have been in regular touch with PBI delegates in Sri Lanka, and have referred to them several cases of persons whose lives were under threat, and to whom PBI has provided its accompaniment service with great efficacy. ... I am very glad of PBI's presence as we would otherwise be at a total loss as to what to advise in certain cases. I am also very impressed by the mix of competence and commitment with which PBI delegates carry out their functions.

Suriya Wickremasinghe, Civil Rights Movement

"PBI has been an immense help to us. We belive that PBI's role in our country is a very much needed thing and we hope their services will continue until the situation in the country improves.

K. Tiranagama, General Secretary, Lawyers for Human Rights and Development