Pensamiento y Acción Social (PAS)
Pensamiento y Acción Social (PAS) is a Colombian non-governmental organisation which has accompanied and advised communities and civil society organisations for more than 20 years. During this time, PAS has developed methodologies and participation strategies for peace-building in the territory and the defence of human rights with a differential approach. PAS aims to empower the capacities of civil society organisations in political advocacy, the creation of networks and alliances, risk assessment and security management, as well as research in three work areas: peace-building, human rights and territory, and security and protection.
PAS’s mission is to strengthen social actors to build, in permanent dialogue with front line organisations and social movements, a strategic political idea that increases their capacity of collective response in defence of democracy and human rights. Their strategic objective is to contribute towards peace-building in the territory and strengthen the capacities and autonomy of the communities, in order to effectively exercise and protect their collective and environmental human rights.
HRDs in Colombia work in a violent and unsafe environment. They are subjected to threats, intimidation, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, physical assaults, torture, killings, illegal searches of their homes and offices and stigmatisation as a result of their activities in defence of human rights. The perpetrators of these abuses are frequently paramilitary groups, many of whom have links to the government or security services, or armed opposition groups. The continued frequent and severe threats and attacks against HRDs around the country contradict government claims of paramilitary demobilisation.
