Marlinde Weener, a former volunteer with PBI Colombia, recently shared reflections in a post (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hoe-canadese-oliemaatschappijen-het-leven-van-marlinde-weener-uaafe/) about her time accompanying rural communities in Casanare.
Sunday the 21st of September marked the International day of Peace, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981. Twenty years later – in 2001 – this same General Assembly designated the day as a period of non-violence and ceasefire. On this day, PBI took a moment to reflect on what peace means for human rights defenders and volunteers.
Peace Brigades International is deeply concerned by the excessive and unlawful use of force by security forces during recent demonstrations in Nepal. At least 27 people – including youth – have lost their lives, and hundreds have been injured. The use of lethal force not only violates international law but also undermines the fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and protest.
Op het kantoor van de NJR in Utrecht zijn wij hartelijk ontvangen door de NJR. Na een korte introductie over PBI Nederland en Shelter City nam Malala het woord en vertelde over haar werk als mensenrechtenverdediger in Kenia en de uitdagingen die zij daarbij tegenkomt.
From the beginning of her stay, Malala expressed strong interest in Pride events. While being gay is not officially illegal in Kenya, she told us about a gay club she used to frequent, known as a kind of “public secret” in Nairobi. So, the idea of a day where queer people are openly celebrated was incredibly meaningful to her.
This gave us the opportunity to share who we are as Shelter City, and our guest the opportunity to discuss and inform around 30 students about her activist work back in Kenya.