Stephanie Brewer, WOLA’s Director for Mexico and Adam Isacson, WOLA’s Director for Defense Oversight, testified in Organized Crime, Gangs, and Human Rights, a hearing convened by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S Congress on December 14.
Both WOLA experts concluded that the only effective way to combat violence in the region is through policies that respect human rights.
“Mexico is a paradigmatic example of how policies that purport to respond to organized crime by violating human rights generate devastating consequences for victims and their families, while failing to build security and the rule of law,” said Stephanie Brewer.
“When state agents operate by violating rights the result is an institutional environment where authorities learn to routinely falsify information, hide their activities and operate outside the law, all ingredients that foster corruption, further abuses and lack of progress in reducing crime,” she added.
Regarding Colombia, Adam Isacson highlighted how “Organized crime thrives on its relationship with government. Corruption is the oxygen it breathes,” he said.
In terms of effective solutions to violence and corruption, he pointed towards a long term strategy that would “bring the government into the areas where there is none” alongside a “justice system that can guarantee consequences for collusion.”
- Read the short oral testimony and the full written testimony on Mexico.
- Read the oral testimony on Colombia
- Read WOLA’s in-depth report on militarization in Mexico.
- Watch a video of the complete hearing here