The International Peace Observatory (IPO) is an organisation of international solidarity offering international accompaniment and defending human rights in Colombia. Since 2005 IPO has accompanied non-violent organisations in processes of resistance, particularly peasant farmer associations, in various regions of Colombia.

Both social organisations and communities, and particularly their leaders, live under a constantly high level of risk in Colombia. Peasant farmers in particular suffer as victims of threats, baseless accusations, arbitrary detentions, assassinations, and extra-judicial executions. Not to mention the complete absence of social investment and poverty that characterise the zones in which they live.

IPO views accompaniment as an effective way for internationals to offer solidarity to communities besieged by conflict. International accompaniment is a tool which, by adopting the mechanism of pressure-deterrence through the presence of international observers and an international support network, can seek the protection of communities at risk.

As well as offering accompaniment, IPO seeks to inform on what it sees and experiences through their communication projects, which include the publication of the quarterly magazine Pa’lante.

IPO began life as a movement and tries to maintain a horizontal flow of work, ideas and administration. Its principles are auto-determination, solidarity, social consciousness, participatory democracy and joy. The organisation is made up of its headquarters in Bogotá and international working groups in Catalonia, Scandinavia, United States, Italy, France and United Kingdom.

Supporting Peaceful Resistance in Colombia

Hasan Dodwell of the International Peace Observatory describes a visit to Catatumbo in Colombia as part of their human rights accompaniment work.