Governments across Latin America have taken exceptional measures to stop the uncontrollable spread of COVID-19. Faced with this, there is a valid fear that these measures could exacerbate abuses of power or increase human rights violations.
Latin America: Civil and political rights in the time of a pandemic
By David Lovatón Palacios /
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
Fear and loathing of civil society in Cuba
By Armando Chaguaceda & Claudia Gonzáles /
The Cuban government’s ideologically-driven operating principle has always been that only the state can define and promote minority interests. The independent LGBTI+ marches in May demonstrated the government’s fear of its citizens’ growing sense of autonomy.
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
Piñera, PROSUR and autocratic China
By Gabriel Salvia / GabrielSalvia /
A month after promoting the establishment of PROSUR, Chilean President Sebastián Piñera contradicted the central principles of the new regional bloc during a trip to China.
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
Former U.S. IACHR members and nominees urge State Department not to withdraw funding
The letter comes as State considers withdrawing funding in the wake of a letter from nine Republican Senators who claim the U.S. should withdraw funding because the Commission lobbies “for abortion in Latin America in direct contravention of U.S. law.”
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
An interview with Hunter Carter about the legal fight for marriage equality
In our fifth episode, Chris Sabatini and Ken Frankel speak to Hunter Carter, partner at Arent Fox LLP and co-founder of the Alliance for Marriage in the Americas (AMAmericas), to discuss marriage equality and LGBTQ rights in Latin America.
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
OAS Permanent Council rejects Nicolas Maduro’s new term
By Victoria Gaytan / VickyGO /
With 19 votes in favor, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) agreed “to not recognize the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s new term as of the 10th of January of 2019.”
Venezuela
Under AMLO, Mexico’s government becomes an enabler
By Victoria Gaytan / VickyGO / MENU
A Grupo de Lima founding member and a champion of restoring democracy in Venezuela under previous administrations, Mexico under AMLO has scaled back its support for human rights defense in the region.
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
Latin America’s 2018 LGBT year in review
By Javier Corrales /
An AIDS crisis in Venezuela, the first gay pride parade in Guyana, the rise of Evangelical movements, and an Oscar. These are the top ten LGBT issues from the region this past year.
Venezuela
Collective Corruption: The Breakdown of Civil Society in Venezuela
By Lauren Ravekes /
Colectivos, or groups of self-organized citizens, have often served to push common causes. In Venezuela, collectives perform the exact opposite function, acting as one of many of Maduro’s tools to divide the country and silence dissenters.
Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations
The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on Venezuela. Here’s why that’s noteworthy
By William Naylor / wm_naylor /
Though it’s unlikely to change anything, this is the first time the body has passed a resolution on Venezuela. There was also one shocking yes vote.