All Content: drug policy

WOLA: Promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and Social Justice

22 Dec 2011
Video
As the year winds to a close, we hope you will enjoy this video about how WOLA works with partners in the region to advance human rights in Latin America. If you have not done so, we hope you will consider making a donation to WOLA to support our continued efforts. Your support makes a difference.

An Uneasy Coexistence: Security and Migration Along the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez Border

In a trip report, WOLA finds violence failing to spill over, migration dropping, drug trafficking persisting, a huge security buildup, and migrants caught in the middle
20 Dec 2011
Analysis & Commentary
A trip report from two Fall 2011 visits of WOLA staff to the El Paso-Juárez border. We found violence failing to spill over, drug trafficking continuing, and migration dropping sharply amid an unprecedented U.S. security buildup. In the absence of a clear border security policy, the migrant population has been hit especially hard.

New Report Published on Drug Policy Alternatives in Latin America and the United States

"Drug Policy in the Andes: Seeking Humane and Effective Alternatives," co-authored by WOLA Senior Fellow Coletta Youngers and Colombian scholar Socorro Ramírez
15 Dec 2011
News

Breakthrough in U.S. Drug Sentencing Reform: The Fair Sentencing Act and the Unfinished Reform Agenda

16 Nov 2011
Publication
WOLA’s new report by the Kara Gotsch, Director of Advocacy at The Sentencing Project, describes the effort that led to passage of the Fair Sentencing Act and points to the unfinished sentencing reform agenda.

New Report on Mistakes of Plan Colombia and Lessons for Latin America

A Cautionary Tale: Plan Colombia's Lessons for Mexico and Beyond
10 Nov 2011
News
Today the Latin America Working Group Education Fund (LAWGEF), the Center for International Policy (CIP), and WOLA release A Cautionary Tale: Plan Colombia's Lessons for Mexico and Beyond, a new report that dissects the Colombian experience of the past ten years

Colombia Human Rights Bulletin

October 2011
31 Oct 2011
Publication
WOLA would like to share with you the following links to documents written by WOLA and organizations we partner with in Colombia on human rights, labor rights, and Afro-Colombian and indigenous issues.

Human Rights During the Juan Manuel Santos Administration’s First Year in Office

Background Report by USOC and WOLA
29 Sep 2011
Publication
The report offers analysis on the topics of extrajudicial executions, human rights defenders, Afro-Colombians, indigenous peoples, internal displacement, the Victims Law and sexual violence against women.

Take Action to Protect Human Rights Defenders in Colombia

Human rights abuses continue to undermine social justice efforts under the Santos administration
13 Sep 2011
Publication
We urge you to please contact the US and Colombian authorities in order to protect human rights defenders, free those unjustly detained, and seek investigations that lead to justice for those murdered and recipients of death threats

Tackling Violence in Mexico

A translation of an article by Eduardo Guerrero in Nexos
10 Sep 2011
Publication
Guerrero’s article deserves as wide an audience as possible. The author makes a compelling case for shifting to a strategy of “deterrence” to reduce the horrific violence that has been spreading in Mexico.

Informal Drug Policy Dialogues

Beginning in 2007, these dialogues promote an open-minded exchange of views on current dilemmas in international drug policy
1 Sep 2011
Publication
Government officials from the executive, legislative and judicial branches and drugpolicy experts are invited to discuss relevant issues.

El Caminito

15 Jul 2011
Video
This video serves as a visual companion to the investigative report done by the online newspaper El Faro about the Cartel de Texis in El Salvador.

Bolivia and the international drug control regime

A conversation with Martin Jelsma of the Transnational Institute
14 Jul 2011
Publication
Bolivia has denounced the International Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which bans the traditional practice of chewing coca leaf. Adam talks with Martin Jelsma, who coordinates the Drugs and Democracy Program at the Amsterdam-based Transnational Institute.

Drug Control Policy: What the United States Can Learn from Latin America

Senior Fellow Coletta Youngers' article in the LASA Forum
5 Jul 2011
Publication
"While the Obama administration has kept U.S. drug control policy towards Latin America on auto-pilot, some countries in the region are charting a different course, seeking to implement policies that are both more effective and in line with international due process and human rights standards"

Bolivia Withdraws from the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs

TNI and WOLA express their full understanding and support for the decision taken by the Morales administration, with the approval of the Bolivian legislature
30 Jun 2011
News
“The restrictions placed by the Single Convention on the coca leaf and its traditional uses – in the absence of any evidence of its harmfulness, were an historical error and a violation of indigenous rights”

Civil Society Declaration to Central American Governments, SICA, and International Donor Community

21 Jun 2011
Publication
The recommendations are the result of a day-long civil society forum on citizen security in Central America that achieved broad-based consensus.

Regional Leaders Meet in Guatemala to Discuss Central American Security Strategy

WOLA will be in attendance and urges leaders to consider a comprehensive approach to insecurity
21 Jun 2011
News
Adriana Beltrán and Geoff Thale are coordinating with civil society experts from Central America to ensure that the viewpoints and experiences of those working on the ground in violence prevention and citizen security are taken into account in the new regional plan.

The Crisis of Crime and Violence in Central America: More than just Drugs and Gangs

Commentary by Program Director Geoff Thale
20 Jun 2011
Analysis & Commentary
This week the "International Conference in Support of the Central American Security Strategy" will bring together Central American presidents and officials from multi-lateral banks and donor governments, including Hilary Clinton for the U.S. Attendees will debate a security strategy for the region, but how will leaders frame the issue?

Tackling Urban Violence in Latin America: Reversing Exclusion through Smart Policing and Social Investment

Featuring strategies in Rio de Janeiro, Medellin, Ciudad Juarez, and Santa Tecla
13 Jun 2011
Publication
This report features attempts to improve citizen security by combining law enforcement and social investment in marginalized communities most affected by crime.

Consolidation in Meta, Colombia (2 of 2): "The idea is that when the program ends, we can support ourselves and walk on our own."

10 Jun 2011
Video
Tito Garzón has lived in Vistahermosa, Meta, Colombia, for 44 years. He is participating in productive projects sponsored by the La Macarena Integrated Consolidation Plan (PCIM).

Alternative Development Strategies in Nariño, Colombia: "The sense of brotherhood returned"

10 Jun 2011
Video
Leaders from the Afro-Colombian Community Council of Rescate-Las Varas discuss alternative development strategies with Senior Associate Adam Isacson. A few years ago, their community accounted for perhaps 1 percent of all coca grown in Colombia, but they managed to convince all of its residents to participate in an alternative development proposal.