Mexico City, 15 May 2014. Between 12 and 14 May, PBI participated in the 2014 European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Forum, which focused on the progresses and challenges regarding the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs). During the forum, the European Union policies and mechanisms for the protection of HRDs were analyzed, especially the Guidelines on HRDs, which were adopted 10 years ago.

Two defenders accompanied by PBI in Oaxaca took part in the event: Marcos Leyva, from Services for an Alternative Education (EDUCA), and Father Alejandro Solalinde Guerra, from the migrant shelter Hermanos en el Camino (Brothers on the Path). EDUCA and Father Solalinde, as well as other human rights defenders and members of the diplomatic corps in Latin America, were interviewed by PBI in early 2014 in order to give visibility to the progresses and challenges regarding the implementation of these guidelines. Some of the testimonies are presented in the video below.

Click here for further information on current efforts by the European Union to increase its support to human rights defenders throughout the world.