Dear JOhn,

“Today, the IACHR presented to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights the Case No 13.080 – Brisa Liliana De Angulo v. the Plurinational State of Bolivia, in accordance with articles 51.1 of the American Convention on Human Rights and 45 of the Rules of Procedure of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.”

Those words, written on Friday 17 July, marked a monumental day for sexual violence survivors throughout the Americas. That’s because the referral by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of this case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, creates the possibility of a new legal precedent for the region.

Almost 20 years ago, when Brisa was fifteen, she was repeatedly raped by her adult cousin who was living with her family at the time. Unlike many adolescents, Brisa reported her rape, and her parents believed her. But like far too many survivors of sexual violence, she endured intimidation from her community, and disbelief by the judge and prosecutor - and she had to relive her trauma through three criminal trials. And yet still today, her abuser has not been held accountable for any of his crimes.

A different road to justice

The inability to access justice through the Bolivian legal system drove Brisa to file her case before the IACHR. Ultimately, after being given multiple opportunities to improve its laws and practices, the Bolivian Government failed to persuade the IACHR that they were complying with their recommendations, leading to this referral to the Inter-American Court.

Hope for change in Bolivia and beyond

A positive outcome in this case would set a legal precedent throughout the Americas, which all member States would be held to, thus improving the lives of girls and women throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Read more about Brisa’s long road to justice, and share this news with your networks. 

In solidarity,

Bárbara Jiménez-Santiago 

Americas Regional Coordinator