A monthly digest highlighting WOLA's work to advance human rights in the Americas.


** Latin America in Review: COVID-19 | Venezuela's 'Narcostate' Narrative | A New Campaign to Protect Migrant Rights
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First of all, we hope this email reaches you while you are staying safe and healthy.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has raised critical questions about human rights considerations, as governments and health systems across the Americas respond to the virus. Here at WOLA, we're continuing to advocate for human rights-centered policies in the region during this pandemic: in the last two weeks, we've produced nearly half a dozen commentaries and statements; helped shape more than a dozen news stories; and hosted several podcasts and virtual events all exploring the human rights ramifications of this global pandemic. We've kept up our advocacy, all while practicing social distancing and maintaining communications with our partners no matter where we are.

A lot of our work is moving online for the near future. That's one reason why we wanted to let you know we're launching Latin America in Review, a monthly digest highlighting what our staff is working on at this crucial moment for human rights advocacy.

In this space, you'll find updates like:
* Webinars bringing together activists, experts, and other courageous people fighting for social change.
* In-depth discussions in the Latin America Today podcast.
* Making sense of the Americas' most urgent human rights issues in op-eds and commentaries.
* Research and reports that propose concrete policy solutions.

You can also stay up-to-date on the latest news about our work and community by visiting our website ([link removed]) and following us on social media.

Thank you for your continued support.
Best wishes,
Geoff Thale
President, WOLA


** WOLA in Action
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In its response to COVID-19, the U.S. government essentially ended asylum at the southern border. Not only does this aggravate the security dangers that migrants and asylum seekers already face: it is aggravating the overall dangers of the pandemic. See key questions ([link removed]) about the partial border shutdown.

"Narcoterrorism" indictments against top Venezuelan officials hinders efforts to create the conditions needed for a democratic transition of power, WOLA Director for Venezuela Geoff Ramsey argued in The ([link removed]) Washington Post ([link removed]) .

Adam Isacson, WOLA's Director for Defense Oversight, walked us through the devastating costs of restarting aerial spraying of coca in Colombia. Full video on Twitter ([link removed]) .

John Walsh, Director for Drug Policy and the Andes, moderated a virtual panel focused on recent political upheaval in Bolivia and the new uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch on YouTube ([link removed]) .


** From Our Experts
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Beyond the Narcostate Narrative: What U.S. Drug Trade Monitoring Data Says About Venezuela
Read the Report ([link removed])
PEACE IN COLOMBIA: Letter to the Editor: Duque’s Failure to Protect Colombia’s Social Leaders ([link removed])

ADDRESSING VENEZUELA'S HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY: The U.S. Should Encourage a Humanitarian Agreement, Offer Sanctions Relief in Venezuela ([link removed])

COCA AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ANDES: U.S.-Colombia Anti-Drug Plan Pushes Failed Policy of Aerial Fumigation ([link removed])

PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN CENTRAL AMERICA: Q&A: Guatemala’s Controversial NGO Law ([link removed])

HUMAN RIGHTS IN MEXICO: Mexico Moves Forward with Efforts to Address Disappearances Crisis ([link removed])

FIGHTING IMPUNITY IN GUATEMALA: Guatemala to Begin Evidentiary Phase of Genocide Trial Against Senior Military Officials ([link removed])

U.S.-CUBA RELATIONS: Organizations Call for Cuba Sanctions Suspension to Facilitate Humanitarian and Medical Supplies amid COVID-19 Pandemic ([link removed])

WOMEN AND DRUG POLICIES IN THE AMERICAS: Women Coca and Poppy Growers Mobilizing for Social Change ([link removed])

HUMAN RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA: Colombian Social Leaders at Great Risk in Chocó, Arauca, Cauca and Elsewhere ([link removed])

STRENGTHENING RULE OF LAW IN MEXICO: Mexico Makes Progress in Investigating Torture and Obstruction of Justice in Emblematic Ayotzinapa Case ([link removed])

DUE PROCESS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR MIGRANTS: In COVID-19 Response, U.S. Government Should Emphasize Expansion of Alternatives to Detention for Migrants ([link removed])


** WOLA in the News

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“Unfortunately, all critical issues in Colombia are being surpassed by the coronavirus health crisis. Coronavirus gives the Duque government more elements to excuse themselves from properly protecting social leaders and investigating cases of killings.” - Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes in The Guardian ([link removed])

“We’re getting to this level of outrage because, in spite of two decades of awareness of how severe violence against women has become in Mexico, there hasn’t been an effective response by the government at any level. You still see widespread permissiveness within society of violence against women.” - Maureen Meyer, Director for Mexico and Migrant Rights in Bloomberg ([link removed])

"And then there’s the situation in the migrant shelters and camps where the tens of thousands of victims of metering and Remain in Mexico are... It will be an absolute miracle if the virus doesn’t sweep through those shelters and camps like a genuine plague. And I don’t see preparations for that underway." - Adam Isacson, Director for Defense Oversight in The Hill ([link removed])

“These indictments seriously increase the exit costs for Maduro...It is hard to imagine Maduro being willing to do anything other than hunker down knowing he has a price on his head...These moves effectively ensure a longterm deadlock between the U.S. and Venezuela, just as we have seen with Cuba.” - David Smilde, WOLA Senior Fellow in The Guardian ([link removed])


** Beyond the Wall Campaign Update
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In March, WOLA staff rebranded the BEYOND THE WALL ([link removed]) advocacy campaign to call for a rights-centered approach to migration. In addition to social media toolkits and ongoing commentary on the state of migrant rights in the region, we have also developed data visualizations and a special-release segment of our LATIN AMERICA TODAY ([link removed]) podcast.
Latest Data Visualization
4 Charts Depicting What’s Been Happening on the U.S.-Mexico Border ([link removed])

Latest Podcast
Beyond the Wall Podcast: A Rights-Respecting Approach to Migration ([link removed])


** Upcoming Events
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Monday, April 22
WEBINAR—Human rights in Bolsonaro’s Brazil: The fight for the rights of Brazilian ethnic and minority groups during COVID-19

Wednesday, September 22
2020 WOLA Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala ([link removed])

All Events ([link removed])
Contact:
Gabriela Sibori
Communications Assistant
+1 (202) 797-2171
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

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