What we do

PBI UK, one of many PBI country groups, provides crucial support to our field projects in Colombia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico and Nepal. Some of the ways we do this are listed below:

Encourage civil society to bear witness as human rights observers

We have an excellent track record in recruiting and sending professionally trained volunteers into the field. PBI must recruit, train and support around 80 volunteers every year. Recruiting volunteers and keeping them safe in the field is essential to protection, providing credible fact-finding and visible international support but it does have enormous financial demands.

Train volunteers

Using discussions, presentations and role-plays the two-day long orientation weekends explore the role of PBI and how PBI's protective accompaniment strategy works. The emphasis is on looking constructively at how volunteers might react in a range of conflict situations and to help candidates reflect on their suitability and readiness to become field volunteers. Orientation weekends are designed and lead by ex-PBI volunteers. The UK office recruits the highest number of PBI field volunteers worldwide and our methodology is now replicated in national PBI groups worldwide.  

Raise funds

PBI UK raises funds from various sources, such as independent foundations and the general public, for example through fundraising events. A diverse funding base enhances PBI volunteers' protection by showing the parties in conflict who supports PBI and how many contributors are interested in safeguarding the legitimate work of accompanied organisations.

Raise the profile of PBI and the groups that we accompany

With increased levels of risk, PBI UK focuses on raising the profile of PBI's human rights work. We reach out to organisations operating in the legal community, in universities, in the ethical commercial world, religious groups and others who are already sympathisers and supporters in the making. Enhancing our profile and media strategy strengthens our public image and the message we send to the world. The benefit to PBI, local human rights defenders and our volunteers is that we will be able to expand the platform of people interested in helping this work.

Build a support network

PBI field volunteers are walking symbols of international support for human rights workers at risk. Field volunteers are backed up by a network of PBI members, MPs and representatives from the legal sector.  We mobilize this network in times of crisis to exert immediate international pressure to stop human rights violations. PBI UK maintains and expands this group of supporters within the UK.

More information about PBI UK:

Where we work

Human rights defenders: who are they?

International protective accompaniment

Get involved

Latest news from the field

Latest news from PBI UK