(Jan Sochor/Getty Images) |
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Dear John,
This week the topic of climate change, displacement and migration was at the top of our minds as WOLA participated in a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and hosted a panel discussion with our partner CEJIL. Guadalupe Mayoral from El Bosque in Tabasco, Mexico and Jackson Jean, representing migrants from Haiti, shared their perspective on how their communities have been affected by the climate emergency. A recording of the event is available here.
Also this week, our 2024 Human Rights Award Honoree, Bibiana Mendoza from the Hasta Encontrarte collective in Mexico, was in town for a hearing about the attacks against women searching for their disappeared loved ones. It was an honor for WOLA staff to be able to meet her in person ahead of our Gala on May 9. We hope you will join us.
In other news, as Mexico’s President López Obrador advocates for his proposed package of constitutional reforms, this week I analyzed the risks for human rights and the rule of law. And finally, as WOLA celebrates its 50th anniversary and ahead of International Women’s Day, please mark your calendars for a regional event on the fight for racial and gender justice in the Americas on March 6.
All this and more in this week’s WOLA Weekly.
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| Stephanie Brewer Director for Mexico |
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🎥 Panel discussion on the impacts of fentanyl on the illegal drug trade in both the United States and Mexico. WOLA's John Walsh, Director for Drug Policy and the Andes, and Stephanie Brewer, Director for Mexico, were joined by Cecilia Farfán Méndez (University of California - San Diego), Peter Reuter (University of Maryland), and Lisa Sánchez (México Unido Contra la Delincuencia) (This event was in Spanish)
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🇻🇪 Panel discussion on the criminalization of NGOs and civil society organizations by governments throughout the region. Director for Venezuela, Laura Dib, was joined by Alí Daniels (Acceso a la Justicia), Claudia Guadamuz (International Center for Not-for-Profit Law), and Ramiro Orias (Due Process of Law Foundation). (This event was in Spanish)
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"Some of López Obrador's key messages, often conveyed with false or misleading claims, are that the judiciary is the main culprit for impunity.” Maureen Meyer,
Vice President for Programs
– El Universal, “Ciudadanos, desencantados con los poderes” (This article is in Spanish)
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"It is unknown how much cocaine is being produced in Colombia and what percentage of the supply is being seized. It may be that, very inaccurately speaking, the percentage of the supply that is being seized may be about the same as in the past, but the fact is that there is simply more and more traveling by other means." Adam Isacson, Director for Defense Oversight
– Voice of America, Colombia defiende en Washington su giro de política antidroga: “Es una estrategia exitosa” (This article is in Spanish)
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"The ultimate goal of authoritarian leaderships is always to come to power and remain in power. And NGOs have a different goal, which is to promote democratic values, civic values, values of citizen empowerment and respect and protection of human rights.”
Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, President
– El Nacional, Expertos advierten sobre la ley que pretende asfixiar a las ONG en Venezuela (This article is in Spanish)
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In April 2022, WOLA launched its one-of-a-kind Border Oversight Database, which documents hundreds of reports of human rights violations and abuses against migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. |
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The WOLA Sally Yudelman Internship program seeks to provide unique mentorship and hands-on experience for the next generation of human rights advocates in Latin America. Apply by March 31!
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SAVE THE DATE:
WOLA'S 50th ANNIVERSARY |
🎉 Cheryl Morden, long-time supporter and former board member, congratulates WOLA on its 50th anniversary. |
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Please consider making a gift to support the creation of our Weekly Newsletter, and all areas of our human rights advocacy work, by clicking the button above. Thank You! |
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