** Latin America in Review:
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In the month of August, we saw a horrifying and concerning wave of massacres in Colombia, mostly concentrated in rural and ethnic communities. The massacres are a symptom of the Duque administration's efforts to slowly undermine the implementation of the historic 2016 peace accords—and ethnic communities are bearing the brunt of it. This month, we also launched the Central America Monitor, which provides information on trends and areas of concern on rule of law, democratic governance, and other issues in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Finally, we wrapped up our four-part series on the Trump administration's impact on human rights in Latin America, while also preparing for our upcoming virtual Human Rights Award and Benefit Gala on Tuesday, September 22.

Learn more about our latest work by visiting our website ([link removed]) and following us on social media.
[link removed]
The 2020 WOLA Human Rights Awards & Benefit Gala is going virtual and you’re invited! Please join us on September 22, 2020 at 8 p.m. as we welcome a global audience to imagine an alternative approach to border and migration policy that is humane and respects human rights, celebrate our honorees, and have some fun.
RSVP today ([link removed])


** Our Partners in Action
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WHERE DOES MEXICO STAND IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY?
A joint report between WOLA and the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) examines the performance of Mexico’s National Prosecutor’s Office and identifies challenges ahead to address impunity.
Read the full report. ([link removed])

JUSTICE IN LLANO VERDE

Following the tragic massacre of five young Afro-Colombian boys in Llano Verde, AFRODES Cali organized a sit-in at the local attorney general's office to demand accountability, calling for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition.

Follow AFRODES Cali for updates. ([link removed])


** WOLA in Action
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The Central America Monitor is publishing data and findings that will help evaluate the levels of progress in efforts to strengthen the rule of law, reduce violence and insecurity, tackle corruption, and protect human rights in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Explore the data here ([link removed]) .

This month, along with several partners, we discussed the human rights record of Bolivia’s interim government under Jeanine Áñez, and offered recommendations for national authorities and the international community. Watch the event here ([link removed]) .

During a four-part webinar series, we brought together experts to take stock of the Trump administration's profound impact on human rights in Latin America. Watch videos of the events here ([link removed]) .



** From Our Experts
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In this episode, Kristina Mani, associate professor of politics at Oberlin College and one of the United States’ closest watchers of Latin American civil-military relations, discusses how the COVID-19 crisis has made the armed forces a part of daily civic life to an extent not seen since the years when military dictatorships governed much of the region.

Listen to the podcast ([link removed])
STATEMENT ON INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: The OAS Should Respect the IACHR’s Independence and Autonomy ([link removed])

TAKEAWAYS FROM CENTRAL AMERICA MONITOR: A Way Forward for Security, Justice, and Human Rights Reform in Central America ([link removed])

TRUTH AND JUSTICE FOR SAN FERNANDO MASSACRE VICTIMS: A Decade After San Fernando Massacre, Migrants Still Face Violence, Impunity for Abuses in Mexico ([link removed])

U.S. ADMINISTRATION ON VENEZUELA (OP-ED): The Trump administration’s intransigence is holding back Venezuela’s opposition ([link removed])

OPEN STATEMENT ON OIL SANCTIONS IN VENEZUELA: 115 Venezuelan Organizations and Individuals to the U.S. Government: Don’t Cut off Diesel to Venezuela ([link removed])

10 ACTIONS TO TRANSFORM AND MODERNIZE AMERICA'S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM: 2021 Immigration Action Plan Outlines 10 Priority Actions for Incoming Administration ([link removed])


** WOLA in the News
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On Colombia:
“Given Duque’s unwillingness to truly advance the implementation of the peace process and refusal to make peace with the ELN it is not surprising that we are seeing a resurgence of massacres in Colombia...Rather than taking advantage of the opportunity to dismantle illegal groups and strengthen justice, Duque is reverting to security policies that don’t work.” - Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes, in the Guardian. ([link removed])

“Peace is not possible without listening to the communities most affected by violence. For years, the Colombian government has faltered in its efforts to implement the 2016 peace accords. It continues to fail in establishing state presence in areas dominated by armed actors.” - Mario Moreno, Vice President for Communications, in Vice News. ([link removed])

“These are not merely collective homicides due to organised crime and terror. Rather, they are occurring because Duque's government is not implementing the peace accord and addressing the structural issues that lead to violence...The rural, poor, ethnic groups and youth are paying the highest price.” - Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes, in Al Jazeera. ([link removed])

“It is a huge deal for multiple reasons: it's unprecedented. Never has an ex-president been detained in Colombia's history, Colombian persons of tremendous influence are often not held accountable for crimes or even seriously brought into a judicial process...In the case of Uribe, despite serious links and allegations to human rights abuses he's managed to dodge or stop judicial processes that implicate him,” - Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, Director for the Andes, in Al Jazeera. ([link removed])

On Venezuela:
“U.S. insistence on a return to the negotiating table, with a greater emphasis on flexibility, may yet lead the regime to alter its calculations. If this happens, and if the opposition succeeds once more in forcing Maduro to offer free and fair presidential elections in exchange for the prior lifting of sanctions, there are ways to ensure a favorable outcome. International pressure need not be all or nothing.” - Geoff Ramsey, Director for Venezuela, in a Washington Post Op-Ed. ([link removed])

On Mexico:
“Prosecutors need to collect the evidence to support Lozoya’s allegations or it will bolster critics who say the investigation is really just a way to taint political rivals, Meyer said..."It would be a clear sign that Mexico is working to turn the page on tolerance for corruption in the country."” - Maureen Meyer, Vice President for Programs and Director for Mexico and Migrant Rights, in the Associated Press. ([link removed])


** Beyond the Wall Campaign Update
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Join the BEYOND THE WALL campaign to learn more. ([link removed])
Latest Podcast
Reflections from a Former Border Patrol Agent ([link removed])
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Video
Beyond the Wall: Borders Should Not Be Barriers to Human Rights ([link removed])


** Upcoming Events
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Thursday, September 3
Race and Equality Webinar on Llano Verde Case: ([link removed])
Massacres of young Afro-Colombian victims of conflict: Analysis and proposals for Truth, Justice, and Non-repetition

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

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