i checked the content of the game on the offical pegi website to see why the game is a pegi 16 and this is what it says about the rating for the game.
Brink: Agents of Change
ZeniMax Europe Limited/Bethesda Softworks EuropeThe content of this game is suitable for persons aged 16 years and over only.
It contains: Realistic looking violence - - Strong language
This game allows the player to interact with other players ONLINE
now as a comparison i looked at black ops which has a pegi 18 and this is the reason why.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Activision Blizzard UK LtdThe content of this game is suitable for persons aged 18 years and over only.
It contains: Extreme violence - Violence towards defenceless people - Strong language
This game allows the player to interact with other players ONLINE
so was brink going to be a bit more extreme with violence or is it that they thought that killing someone when they are lying on the ground injured and unarmed with the melee attack would be classed as Violence towards defenceless people.