All Content: violence against women

U.S. Congress Supports Peace in Colombia

18 Apr 2013
Analysis & Commentary
In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, 62 members of Congress call for U.S. policy to support peace with justice as the country continues negotiations to end its internal conflict.

Will You Support Peace in Colombia?

Ask Your Representative to Sign a Dear Colleague Letter Promoting Peace in Colombia
21 Mar 2013
Analysis & Commentary
The letter, co-sponsored by Reps. McGovern and Schakowsky, calls on the Department of State to support the Colombia peace process and calls for the implementation of aid and policies that promote a lasting peace.

Peace Talks: An Opportunity to Fill Colombia's Deficit to Afro-Colombian Women

15 Nov 2012
Analysis & Commentary
As the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) embark on historic peace talks in Havana, Cuba, an end to hostilities is not the only desirable outcome. The negotiations offer an opportunity to address Colombia's legacy of exclusion of women--especially Afro-Colombian women--from politics and society.

Mexican Human Rights Defender Norma Andrade Attacked for Second Time in Two Months

WOLA's letter to Mexico's Secretary of the Interior
8 Feb 2012
News
The recent attacks on Norma Andrade demonstrate the need to implement a protective mechanism for human rights defenders.

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.

Declaration on the Death Threats Received by Grassroots Organizations and Human Rights Defenders in Barrancabermeja

Paramilitaries continue to attack civil society
7 Dec 2011
Publication
For decades, grassroots organizations that work for the defense, protection and promotion of human rights in the region of Magdalena Medio have been the target of threats and forced disappearances, in the midst of a climate of impunity and the absence of justice for the victims

23 Organizations Denounce over 2,000 Violations against Human Rights Defenders in the Americas

The groups depict an alarming situation and call for the creation of an effective mechanism to protect defenders
29 Mar 2011
News
The insecurity facing human rights defenders in the Americas has reached alarming levels. The situation was denounced today by 23 NGOs from 11 countries meeting in Washington, D.C. for the 141st period of sessions of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IACHR).

Valentina Rosendo Cantu's Nine Year Struggle for Justice in Mexico

22 Mar 2011
Video
In this video, Valentina bravely tells her story of her fight to achieve justice after being raped and abused by members of the Mexican military.

Marisela Escobedo was murdered yesterday, showing that femicides continue in Chihuahua

She fought until death for justice in the case of her murdered daughter, Rubi Frayre
17 Dec 2010
Publication
The Washington Office on Latin America condemns with much sadness the murder of Marisela Escobeda Ortiz. (Spanish only)

Indigenous human rights defenders in Mexico are threatened for working for justice

Mexican government must implement sentence from Interamerican Court of Human Rights to ensure their protection
10 Dec 2010
Publication
The Washington Office on Latin America wrote a letter to José Francisco Blake Mora, Secretary of the Interior of Mexico, expressing our concern due to the recent threats against workers of the Me'phaa Indigenous Peoples Organization.

ACSN Letter to Presidential Advisor on Afro-Colombian, Black, Palanquera, and Raizal Populations

Mr. Gamboa must address the humanitarian crisis confronting Afro-Colombians
15 Nov 2010
Publication
We, the undersigned group of U.S. non-governmental organizations, activists and academics that form part of the Afro-Colombian Solidarity Network (ACSN), write to you today to express our deep concern about recent human rights and territorial rights abuses committed against African descendant citizens of your country.

Violent Entry into Women's Shelter in Juárez

22 Jun 2010
Publication
WOLA would like to call your attention to a letter sent to the Governor of Chihuahua that highlights to the ongoing violence against women in Juárez, México.

Memo to US Congress: Complaints against Security Forces in Chihuahua Grow

Complaints filed by women of human rights violations related to the fight against drug trafficking in the state of Chihuahua have grown
27 Jan 2010
News

Memo to US Congress on Women's Security in Chihuahua

27 Jan 2010
Publication
WOLA, together with the Center for Women's Rights based in Chihuahua, Mexico, wrote a memo today to the US Congress on how women in the Mexican state of Chihuahua have been subjected to violence and abuse as a result of the Mexican government's counter-drug operations and the conflicts between drug trafficking organizations.

President Mauricio Funes’ Speech in Commemoration of 20th Anniversary of Jesuits’ Assassination

17 Nov 2009
Publication
The full speech of Salvadoran president Mauricio Funes delivered on November 16, 2009 in honor of 20th Anniversary of the six Jesuits murdered in 1989 for their work in the pursuit of peace during the country's civil war.

Protect and Serve? The Status of Police Reform in Central America

25 Jun 2009
Publication
This report draws on interviews conducted by in-country experts with government officials, current and former police, representatives of international aid agencies, and civil society leaders in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Mexico Judged by International Court for Impunity on Femicides in Ciudad Juarez

23 Apr 2009
News

More Resources on Femicide Trial before Inter-American Court

23 Apr 2009
Publication
In a landmark case on gender violence, the families of three murdered women in Chihuahua have brought the Mexican government before the Inter-American Court, seeking justice for their daughters. Attached are further resources on the case.

Advocates Against Impunity: A Case Study on Human Rights Organizing in Guatemala

A fascinating look at the advocacy campaign around the pioneering multilateral commission called CICIG.
13 Jan 2009
Publication
In 2001, a group of human rights organizations based in Guatemala launched an advocacy campaign calling for the creation of an international commission to investigate and assist in prosecuting the illegal armed groups and clandestine structures deeply entrenched in the Guatemalan state.

96 U.S. Representatives Urge Justice in Alleged Abuse of Mexican Detainees

8 May 2008
News

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