Citizen Security News & Analysis

WOLA Announces Winners of 2012 Human Rights Awards

This year's awards highlight courageous leaders working to overcome crime and violence in Latin America
9 May 2012
News
The theme of this year’s award ceremony is “Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda.” WOLA will honor three courageous and innovative leaders.

Public Security Challenges in El Salvador Today

Comments by Rep. James McGovern
19 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
In remarks at a recent forum on El Salvador sponsored by WOLA and the Moakley Institute at Suffolk University, Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) spoke about the public security crisis in El Salvador today, and what needs to be done to address the institutional challenges.

Video Podcast with Security Expert Leticia Salomón: Crime and Police Corruption in Honduras

12 Apr 2012
Video
In this WOLA video podcast, Leticia Salomón gives a panorama of the security challenges facing Honduras. She describes the Commission for the Reform of Public Security and how its work could help address underlying problems of police corruption, impunity, and institutional weakness in the country.

Summit of the Americas: Walking the Walk on Partnership

5 Apr 2012
Analysis & Commentary
The presidents of the Americas (with some notable exceptions) will gather once again later this month. President Obama will likely again focus on partnership, engagement, and co-responsibility. These are the right ideas, and they can revolutionize our relationship with the hemisphere.

Central American Presidents to Meet to Discuss Alternatives to “War on Drugs”

Four Reforms Prime for Consideration and Implementation
22 Mar 2012
News
On Saturday, March 24, Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina will host a meeting of Central American presidents. Here, WOLA suggests four alternatives to the current strategy.

Obama Administration Pushes Back on Lawsuit Regarding Wiretapping

Supreme Court to Review Case against Surveillance Law
21 Feb 2012
News
“We are part of this lawsuit because we can’t let fear and secrecy trump our rights or keep us from doing our work.”

Police Strikes in Brazil Evidence of Deeper Structural Problems

10 Feb 2012
Analysis & Commentary
At the beginning of February, around 10,000 members of the military police in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia went on strike after years of failed negotiations for pay increases and better benefits. The strikes will likely spread to other areas of Brazil.

Appointment of Former General as Head of El Salvador's Police Violates the Spirit of the Peace Accords

Does this represent a change in focus for the country's security policy?
27 Jan 2012
News
For the second time during Funes' administration, a retired military officer has been put in charge of one of the country’s public security institutions.

Former Guatemalan Dictator to Face Court for Genocide During Civil War

24 Jan 2012
Analysis & Commentary
José Efraín Ríos Montt will appear in court this Thursday, January 26, to face genocide charges relating to his 1982-1983 regime. However, a lack of transparency within the Defense Ministry and weaknesses in the Guatemalan justice system may make it difficult to bring him to justice.

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.

WOLA expresses concern about naming of new Justice and Public Security Minister in El Salvador

22 Nov 2011
News
The decision to name a military professional to lead citizen security in El Salvador goes against the spirit of the Peace Accords, which established a clear separation between police and military roles.

Elections in Guatemala and Nicaragua

A conversation with Adriana Beltran and Maureen Meyer
11 Nov 2011
Publication
On Sunday, Guatemalans elected retired Gen. Otto Pérez Molina to be their next president, while Nicaraguans re-elected Daniel Ortega. Adam talks about the result, and what might come next, with WOLA Senior Associates Adriana Beltrán and Maureen Meyer.

Alternatives to Violence: Hope in Medellín

A Speech by Rep. James McGovern
13 Sep 2011
Publication
The following speech by Representative McGovern provides insight into the complexities of violence and peacebuilding in Medellín.

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.

WOLA/IDB Mapping Study of International Cooperation for Citizen Security in Central America

8 Jul 2011
Publication
Looking at the region from 2009 to June 2011, the study identifies 423 projects being implemented and 30 additional projects still in the design phase.

Report Back from Central America's Security Conference

A conversation with Geoff Thale and Adriana Beltrán
1 Jul 2011
Publication
WOLA Program Director Geoff Thale and Senior Associate Adriana Beltran were recently in Guatemala City, where Central America's presidents and international donors were discussing responses to Central America's severe citizen security challenges.

El Salvador: Troubling Attacks on the Independence of the Judiciary

29 Jun 2011
Analysis & Commentary
On June 2, a constitutional crisis erupted in El Salvador. The Salvadoran Legislative Assembly approved Decree 743, which mandates that the five members of the Constitutional Court must rule unanimously instead of with the previous four-person majority.

WOLA and IDB Release Most Comprehensive Study To Date on International Aid for Citizen Security in Central America

WOLA urges Central American governments and International Donors to use study as a tool for coordinating efforts
22 Jun 2011
News
Details the international community's support for citizen security in Central America.

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.

Stay Informed