Fielding-Smith, Abbie

Fielding-Smith, Abbie

Abbie Fielding-Smith

13 August 2011Feature

How can a small organisation committed to nonviolence affect the outcome of their encounters with government forces? Abbie Fielding-Smith reports on the tactics used by Peace Brigades International in their dealings with military and police authorities on the ground.

Peace Brigades International (PBI)'s work in conflicts around the world involves intensive interaction with the local police and military. On one notorious route in Colombia there are 60 military checkpoints. How can a small organisation committed to nonviolence affect the outcome of their encounters with government forces?

PBI's objective is to create the political space for local human rights defenders to do their work in countries where disappearances are commonplace. PBI does…