WOLA will participate in the 53rd OAS General Assembly in Washington D.C. We will have the opportunity to participate in the dialogue with representatives of civil society and make a statement on behalf of the American Coalition for Drug Policy. Additionally, WOLA is joining forces with organizations from the region in a series of side events from June 20-23, 2023, to promote a regional conversation on democracy and human rights.
The list below outlines the events WOLA be participating in, many of which are hybrid and can be accessed virtually. Please note that in-person events will be in Spanish-only and some will have English interpretation online.
June 20, 2023
Peru: Democratic Crisis, Human Rights and Impunity
The sustained crisis in Peru requires a coordinated response at the national and international level. Representatives from the National Human Rights Coordinator (CNDDHH), the Pro-Human Rights Association (APRODEH), Studies for Women’s Rights (DEMUS), the Legal Defense Institute (IDL), the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), the Due Process Foundation (DPLF), and the Washington Office on Latin American (WOLA), will discuss possible solutions to the current crisis.
Where: OSF – 1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW 7th Floor RSVP: washington@cejil.org
Time: 12:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Hybrid Event
To view the event: https://youtu.be/_GeEsvva-_c
June 21, 2023
General Assembly and Civil Society Dialogue with OAS Heads of Delegation, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General
WOLA will participate in the dialogue between the Heads of Delegation, the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General, with representatives of civil society, workers, private sector, youth and other social actors.
WOLA’s John Walsh will make a statement to the OAS General Assembly on behalf of the American Coalition on Drug Policy
Where: Organization of American States
Time: 10.AM
See intervention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8kMlY_9EM4
Inter-American Principles on Non-Profit Organizations: Regional Response to a Closing Civic Space
In many countries of the region, civil society organizations are facing a worrying global trend regarding civic space. This means formal and informal limitations and obstacles that restrict their work. Whether through policy or administrative regulations, we see the use and abuse of a variety of legal tools to threaten or repress the freedom of association of individuals and groups that criticize state policies and practices, particularly regarding human rights. This panel is organized by DPLF, WOLA, ICLN, Race & Equality, Alianza Regional Por La Libre Expresión e Información.
Where: Open Society Foundations Conference Room A, at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW 7th floor, Washington DC
Time: 12:30 – 2:30 PM
Hybrid Event
Virtual event registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uik3I72UT_u6RV9k_Ofykw#/registration
June 22, 2023
Authoritarian Drift in the Americas: What Can Civil Society and International Cooperation Do? An Emerging and Urgent Discussion
In this event we will discuss the challenges that an authoritarian drift presents for civic space and civil society organizations, as well as the importance of articulating responses among the various actors of the international community, i.e. cooperation agencies, multilateral organizations, academia and civil society. This event is organized by WOLA, Articulate Foundation, Inter-American Dialogue and DPLF.
Location: 2629 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 200
Hybrid Event
Event Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0y1RBVk_j9-nYhOTe-XwBWzeB2KlgaySYxuigmlWQTjN87Q/viewform
Democratic Decline and Authoritarian Drift in Guatemala: Presentation and Comments on the Inclusion of Guatemala in Chapter 4.B of the IACHR Annual Report 2022
The organizations part of the International Observatory on the Situation of Human Rights in Guatemala seek to expose the gravity of Guatemala’s current situation before the international community attending the OAS General Assembly. The Observatory aims to promote support throughout the Americas and advance measures to contain this deterioration, prevent its aggravation and redirect Guatemalan democracy towards a course consistent with its international commitments on human rights, the defense of the rule of law and in line with a representative democracy. This event is organized by CEJIL, DPLF, WOLA.
Where: Open Society Foundations, at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW 7th floor, Washington DC RSVP
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Virtual event registration: www.bit.ly/deteriorodemocratico-gt
The Current Situation in Colombia: A Conversation with Marco Romero
A dialogue with the director of the Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement (CODHES). Marco Romero is a peace activist, a human rights defender, a professor of political science and international relations at the National University of Colombia and a member of the implementation committee of the Truth Commission. This event is organized by LAWG, CEJIL and CHRC.
Where: 1301 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600. RSVP: apereyrabaron@lawg.org
Time: 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Hybrid Event
Virtual event link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88689590734
June 23, 2023
‘Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading’: Cristosal Reports on One Year Under El Salvador’s State of Exception
Discussion in Spanish with David Morales, the Chief Legal Officer of Cristosal, to highlight findings and conclusions from the report “One Year Under State of Exception.” English interpretation will be provided via Zoom.
The report published on June 2nd unveils a series of systematic abuses committed by the Bukele administration since the beginning of the state of exception. The document relies on 3,275 reports of human rights violations demonstrating how torture, cruelty, and inhuman and degrading treatment of the people arrested by the government have been normalized legally and through propaganda by Bukele and his security cabinet.
This event is organized by DPLF, LAWG and WOLA.
Where: 1301 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 600 RSVP
Time: 9:30 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Event Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88516874522#success