RSSOn December 3, Mexico City police freed 107 human trafficking victims who were forced to manufacture shopping bags and clothespins under “slave-like” circumstances. Officials reported that the victims exhibited signs of physical and sexual abuse, and were also malnourished, as they had been giv[...]
Archive for the ‘Human Rights’ Category
Argentine Same-Sex Marriage Debate Returns
In 2002, Argentina was at the forefront of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights debate when it became the first country in the region to allow same-sex civil unions. After this landmark decision, other countries such as Mexico, Ecuador, Uruguay, and even Spain followed suit. On [...]
Honduran Election Results Still Need To Be Scrutinized, State Department Dashes Hopes that a Transformative Latin America Policy Has Been Born
A growing number of nations in the international community have decided to recognize the recent Honduran elections administered by the country’s unlawful de facto government, citing high rates of voter participation as evidence that a “free and fair” election had taken place on November 29. B[...]
The Ill-Advised US Certification of Colombia on Human Rights
- Despite Colombia’s Bleak Human Rights Performance, the Country Is Certified with a Smile - Meanwhile, Venezuelan-Colombian Relations Further Deteriorate For another consecutive year in its controversial certification process, the State Department has found that the Colombian government and its a[...]
Chile Invokes Pinochet-Era Anti-Terrorism Law Against Mapuche Demonstrators
In comparison to other countries in Latin America, Chile boasts relatively stable political institutions, particularly free and fair elections, and a substantial middle class. As a result, this South American country is widely recognized as a model for democratic development and respect for constit[...]
Letter to the President: Honduras Human Rights Violations and Elections
Dear Colleague: In accordance with the Council on Hemispheric Affairs’ underlying mission to promote rational and constructive U.S. policies towards Latin America, our organization has been delighted to help Miguel Tinker Salas and his associates to distribute the following letter to the Presiden[...]
Guatemala Far from out of the Woods: Sentencing of an Ex-Paramilitary Officer a Transformative Step for the Country?
On August 31, 2009, a Guatemalan court in the mountain town of Chimaltenango convicted Felipe Cusanero, a former paramilitary officer in the country’s 36-year-long civil war. His crime was the forced disappearance of six indigenous villagers between 1982 and 1984. In many regards, the convic[...]