Dear John,
As summer in the Northern Hemisphere comes to an end, and we prepare to host our first in-person Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala since the start of the pandemic, I’m looking forward to taking a moment to reflect on my first year as WOLA’s president, all that we have accomplished together, and the many challenges the region still faces.
As I write this, I’m returning to D.C. after traveling to Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico. This recent month-long trip tops off a year of travel that has put me on the ground to meet and brainstorm with many partners in the region. I see this as one of the most important parts of my job, working with program staff to ensure that WOLA stays relevant and connected to Latin America. Throughout my travels I have had the opportunity to work alongside incredibly courageous people who remind me why our fight for human rights to be a reality for everyone across the Americas is so crucial.
While in Caracas, our Director for Venezuela, Geoff Ramsey, and I met with former political prisoners and relatives of current political prisoners. I also met the parents of young people executed during protests and in security operations, and with partners in civil society organizations who are supporting them in their search for justice. The stories and pain they shared with us reminded me of human rights defenders from El Salvador, Cuba and Nicaragua, who also continue to fight for the release of the many who have been unjustly imprisoned. While in Mexico, I met with activists from Guatemala and Nicaragua now living in exile. It was a somber reminder of the magnitude of the crisis the region is facing as many of our partners find themselves forced to flee their countries, escaping authoritarian regimes and persecution. Sadly, despite providing shelter for these activists, the Mexican government is turning a blind eye to the demands of civil society and has deepened the militarization of public security as a way to tackle violence, a short sighted and dangerous strategy that has proven ineffective for decades.
In Brazil, I had the opportunity to share experiences, ideas and plans with an incredible group of civil society organizations that work on human rights. We discussed how we can collectively face the most pressing challenges in Latin America. It was a reminder of the importance of creating spaces where we can discuss and rethink our strategies to work for a better future for our region. As Brazil faces a defining political event in the context of the presidential elections on October 2, our Director for the Andes, Gimena Sánchez-Garzoli, and I will be traveling to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to accompany our partners at this crucial moment in their history.
Despite the hardships we all face in our fight for improved human rights in the region, we remain hopeful and determined that progress can be achieved and change is possible, no matter how small it may seem. Looking back, the situation in Colombia seemed dire a few months ago as experts worried about violence at the polls, yet the country persevered and experienced a peaceful transition of power. We also can’t forget that at the beginning of this year, Colombia became the latest country in the region to decriminalize abortions up to 24 weeks, a huge victory for sexual and reproductive rights in line with the trend in many countries across Latin America and at such stark contrast with the U.S. During my trip to Bogota I had the opportunity to meet with Colombia’s new Minister of Defense, Iván Velásquez, as well as the country’s new Peace Commissioner, Danilo Rueda. I also met with international actors, donors, diplomats and local partners who are closely following the change of government in Colombia. We remain committed to promoting peace, security and the full enjoyment of human rights for Colombians and the millions of refugees and migrants who now live there. Colombia will be a key arena for some of our innovative advocacy on drug policy, including highlighting the role of drug prohibition in exacerbating environmental harms and the climate crisis, especially due to deforestation. Stay tuned for more updates on this program!
As our Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala approaches, I would like to focus on the importance of celebrating human rights achievements despite overwhelming challenges. In January, the Maya Achí women of Rabinal in Guatemala succeeded in securing a conviction of fiver former paramilitaries, finally holding them accountable for the sexual violence they committed during the armed conflict.
Let me finish this cafecito by saying that it has been a real privilege to lead WOLA in this fast moving first year. As our fight for human rights continues, I look forward to being on the ground working with WOLA staff to accompany regional partners and ensure that our work is strongly connected to the region. It is equally important that we continue our advocacy for a U.S. foreign policy that upholds human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. We are facing tremendous challenges and changes across the Americas, all of which require our attention. Despite this, I hope we are able to take a moment and reflect on the achievements and courage of many inspiring individuals, including the Maya Achí women of Rabinal, the Maya Q’eqchi’ women of Sepur Zarco in Guatemala, David Morales, lead prosecutor of the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador, and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX).
Let their unbreakable determination in the fight for justice be a reminder to us all of what we are fighting for.
Sincerely,
