Latin America in Review: The Scale of Trump's Cruel Border Policies | Mass Incarceration in the Americas | Impunity in Guatemala
This June, WOLA ramped up its Beyond the Wall campaign with a powerful animated video documenting the Trump administration's cruel border and migration policies. Also, working with partners, we worked to address dangerous conditions in Latin American prisons that are likely exacerbating the pandemic. We continued our efforts to ensure rule of law and transparency in justice institutions in Guatemala.  

Learn more about our latest work by visiting our website and following us on social media.

Our Partners in Action
ADDRESSING MASS INCARCERATION
 WOLA has joined the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) project, the Information Hub on COVID-19 and Persons Deprived of Liberty. This hub is a digital one-stop center for different types of information pertaining to persons deprived of liberty.
Go to Information Hub.
NO FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITHOUT HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTIONS
Conectas Direitos Humanos, in partnership with WOLA, issued a critical commentary on United States' plans to enter into a free trade agreement with Brazil despite President Jair Bolsonaro's continued attacks on human rights.
Read the commentary here.

WOLA in Action
WOLA premiered an animated video detailing the humanitarian crisis on the border caused by cruel, inhumane migration policies. The video outlines what we can do to implement a rights-respecting approach to migration. Watch the entire video here.
WOLA's Director for the Andes and Director for Venezuela participated in a webinar to discuss the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation for Venezuelan migrants, the impact of public policy on these activities, and the ways in which these threats have been aggravated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the entire webinar here.
Adriana Beltrán, WOLA’s Director for Citizen Security sits down with three partners who were active in the fight to preserve the CICIG—and who continue their fight in protecting justice institutions in Guatemala. Listen to the interview on the LATIN AMERICA TODAY podcast.
WOLA helped coordinate a webinar to discuss drivers of mass incarceration worldwide, sharing analysis on the impact of COVID-19, the negative impacts of imprisonment exposed by the pandemic, and the challenges and opportunities it provides for sustainable reform. Watch the discussion here.

From Our Experts
Unless the United States Deploys These 5 Regional Migration Strategies, COVID-19 Could Portend Another Humanitarian Crisis On Our Border
Read the Commentary
REMAIN IN MEXICO: One Year After U.S.-Mexico Migration Deal, a Widespread Humanitarian Disaster

U.S. AND BRAZIL TRADE: The United States Must Not Enter into a Free Trade Agreement with Brazil Given President Bolsonaro’s Frontal Assault on Human Rights

INTERVIEW ON SOCIAL LEADERS: “If they can kill Berta Cáceres, they can kill anybody”: Nina Lakhani on the Danger to Social Leaders

LGBTQ RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA: Challenges and Tools for Latin America’s Struggle for Equality

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM IN COLOMBIA: Demining sacred space in Colombia’s Amazon basin

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK: IDB Members Should Seek Latin American Candidate for Next President, Delay Vote Until After U.S. Elections

HUMAN RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA: Colombia Update: Attacks on Social Leaders, Forced Eradication Operations, and Ongoing Abuses Amid the Pandemic

JUSTICE SYSTEM IN GUATEMALA: Guatemala’s Congress Must Elect Independent People of Integrity to Shape the Next Courts

ASYLUM POLICIES: The Trump Administration’s Hateful New Asylum Rule

PROTECTING DREAMERS: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Blocks Attempt to End DACA

POLICE BRUTALITY AND RACIAL JUSTICE: WOLA Statement on the Fight For Justice and the Struggle Against Repression

IMPUNITY IN COLOMBIA: In Another Act of Unacceptable Impunity, Accused Murderer of Afro-Colombian Social Leader Bernardo Cuero Bravo Set Free

REGIONAL SUPPORT AND COVID-19: Congress Should Approve Aid for COVID-19’s New Epicenter: Latin America and the Caribbean

WOLA in the News
 

"Brazil basically needs those informal workers to go out there to keep the economy growing and so, it's exposed and given confusing messages to the poorer and most vulnerable Brazilians. At the same time, he's fighting with the states and local authorities who have tried to impose guidelines and measures to try to contain the contagion... There's now a major crisis throughout the country, making it the epicenter in the Americas and it's hitting disproportionately the poorer areas of Brazil." - Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes for CBS News.

“If they can negotiate a humanitarian accord, the next step would be to negotiate conditions for free and fair elections. It seems like both Maduro and the opposition are beginning to see that they can’t simply sit back with their arms folded and blame the other side.” - Geoff Ramsey, Director for Venezuela, in the Associated Press.

“The most responsible and humane response from the Trump administration should be to halt all deportations flights during the pandemic." - Maureen Meyer, Director for Mexico and Migrant Rights in the Wall Street Journal

Beyond the Wall Campaign Update
In June, WOLA premiered an animated video for our Beyond the Wall campaign and recorded a panel discussion for our BEYOND THE WALL podcast segment.

Our panelists discussed the challenges and solutions on a rights-respecting approach to migration. The panel is moderated by Mario Moreno, WOLA’s Vice President for Communications, and includes Geoff Thale, the President of WOLA; Maureen Meyer, WOLA’s Director for Mexico and Migrant Rights; Adam Isacson, WOLA’s Director for Defense Oversight, and Adriana Beltrán, WOLA’s Director for Citizen Security.
Join the BEYOND THE WALL campaign to learn more.
NEW: ANIMATED VIDEO
Beyond the Wall: Borders Should Not Be Barriers to Human Rights

Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 22
2020 WOLA Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala
 
All Events
Contact:
Gabriela Sibori
Communications Assistant
+1 (202) 797-2171
[email protected]
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