Protective accompaniment

Abstract

It's 1989, in San Salvador, El Salvador. In the weeks preceding national elections, FENASTRAS (FederaciOn Nacional de Trabajadores Salvadoreñas—The National Federation of Salvadoran Workers) leaders have been “disappeared” by security forces. A protest demonstration is planned in the Central Square, across from the Cathedral. Workers from the Union Nacional de Trabajadores Salvadoreñas (National Union of Salvadoran Workers—UNTS) are anxious about attending this event. They gather in the UNTS building beforehand, debating whether to go. For many of them, the turning‐point comes from knowing that they will be “accompanied” to the demonstration by a member of Peace Brigades International (PBI), an international non‐governmental organization (NGO) committed to being a non‐violent third party witness in violent situations. On this occasion, the accompaniment initially seems to have limited effectiveness. The PBI volunteer (and another foreigner with her) is stopped by military agents and questioned shortly after leaving the UNTS office. When finally released, she can see that something has gone wrong up ahead. Several police cars have pulled up to the unionists, and agents are grabbing and detaining the activists. It seems painfully ironic: on the way to protest political disappearances, the protesters themselves risk being “disappeared”. The foreigners run toward the scene, snapping photos to try to prevent disappearances, by documenting any abductions. The police, when they notice the foreign presence, are visibly startled. For a moment they freeze. Then they release the men who have been captured. The police scurry for their cars, and drive away. This is accompaniment in action. What role can protective accompaniment play in creating and maintaining “zones of peace?” Such accompaniment helps establish a rather unique kind of peace zone. Unlike those that are territorially based, the “zone” created by protective accompaniment is personally based. The “zone” actually consists of an individual or group of individuals; it allows that individual or group to act safely within many territories, particularly those most threatened by violence.