Advocacy for Human Rights:
WOLA’s Lasting Impact
We advocate for human rights across the Americas!
Connecting human rights defenders, social justice advocates, and civil society in Latin America with Washington for over 50 years.
What We Do
We create a lasting impact for human rights through advocacy efforts in Washington and throughout Latin America
Partner
We collaborate with courageous human rights leaders and justice advocates who bring unique on-the-ground perspectives.
Research
We draw on decades of expertise to deliver critical policy analyses and propose targeted policy reforms.
Advocacy
We combine cutting-edge communications and advocacy strategies to influence the policy debate, convene diverse actors, reach key audiences, and engage policymakers.
Impact
We work together to change policies and create lasting impact for human rights, democracy, and social justice in the Americas.
Behind the scenes:
WOLA influences U.S. policy
U.S. Congressional Delegation to Colombia
In November, WOLA organized a congressional delegation to Colombia with U.S. Representative Henry “Hank” Johnson, activists, and staff from other congressional offices.
Securing U.S. support for addressing disappearances in Mexico
Both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees recommended U.S. funding to strengthen Mexico’s search for and identification of the disappeared. WOLA reinforced this advocacy by organizing meetings between U.S. policymakers and our 2024 Human Rights Award honorees from Mexico.
Supporting anti-corruption efforts in Venezuela
WOLA facilitated meetings between the Venezuela Asset Recovery Initiative (INRAV, in Spanish) and Congressional offices to discuss a proposal for a fund to return assets forfeited from Maduro-linked individuals to benefit Venezuelan civil society. The initiative was reflected in the PANA Act and the VERDAD Act.
Promoting judicial independence in Guatemala
WOLA brought urgent attention to the selection process of Guatemala’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. We advocated for U.S. political and financial support for the OAS Observation Mission of this process.
Achieving U.S. support for harm reduction at the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
In a historic shift, the U.S. delegation sponsored an overdose prevention resolution supporting harm reduction, marking the first time the U.S. backed such language at the CND. The resolution passed with 38 votes in favor and only two against: Russia and China.
Promoting judicial independence in Guatemala
WOLA brought urgent attention to the selection process of Guatemala’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. We advocated for U.S. political and financial support for the OAS Observation Mission of this process.
Testifying in Congress to oppose anti-asylum border policies
WOLA staff testified twice times before House and Senate committees in 2024 to challenge policies undermining the right to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Highlighting democratic backsliding in El Salvador
In December, WOLA’s Director for Central America Ana María Méndez Dardón testified before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission about the State of Exception in El Salvador, calling attention to judicial deterioration and the lack of justice for victims of human rights violations.
Our Priorities
WOLA responds to the changing dynamics in United States policy and in Latin America. Over the years, WOLA evolved from raising awareness of human rights violations to also providing critical research and policy analysis. We have become a leading human rights advocacy organization by effectively combining strong ties to the region with strategic connections to U.S. and international policymakers. WOLA cooperates with a diverse array of human rights defenders, social justice advocates, and civil society organizations. Through WOLA’s work in Washington and in Latin America, we collaborate in developing strategies to amplify these voices and propose effective policy solutions.
Today WOLA addresses contemporary human rights challenges with research, advocacy and strategic initiatives in these priority areas:
Annual Report
Tracking Lasting Impact
Explore WOLA’s annual report to see our impact in advancing human rights through policy analysis, partnership-building, and strategic advocacy. Our reports highlight achievements, challenges, and the progress we’ve made in shaping policies that protect human rights.
Take action now
Support WOLA’s mission to uphold human rights through advocacy and research and make a lasting impact on human rights in the Americas.
Join the conversation on how to advance human rights, promote social justice, and defend democracy throughout the Americas. Let’s join our efforts to ensure a future where justice prevails.
