News

Obama to Meet with Mexican President Peña Nieto as State Department Evaluates Mexico’s Human Rights Situation

hsmith — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 18:23:29 +0000

The meeting takes place at a moment when the State Department is assessing whether the Mexican government has met the human rights conditions in the Merida Initiative.

Washington, DC—Tomorrow the presidents of the United States and Mexico will meet at the White House. This meeting takes place at a moment when the State Department is assessing whether the Mexican government has met the human rights conditions in the Merida Initiative—a U.S. security assistance package. Under the Merida Initiative, 15 percent of select funds are conditioned on the State Department reporting to Congress that Mexico is making substantive progress in its respect for human rights within the framework of security operations.

WOLA Report: Mexico's New Criminal Justice System

hsmith — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 18:59:19 +0000

There’s Much Left to do Before Celebrating

The Mexican government has called its transition to the new adversarial, oral-based criminal justice system a “mission accomplished.” However, much remains to be done for Mexico to enjoy a system that holds perpetrators accountable for crimes while ensuring respect for human rights.

Washington, DC–The Mexican government has called its transition to the new adversarial, oral-based criminal justice system a “mission accomplished.” However, according to a new WOLA report, much remains to be done for Mexico to enjoy a system that holds perpetrators accountable for crimes while ensuring respect for human rights.

Ayotzinapa Case: Negotiations between Mexico and the Inter-American Commission Continue

hsmith — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 23:22:36 +0000

WOLA and 11 organizations demand a strong mechanism to follow-up on the case

In a public letter to Mexican President Peña Nieto, the human rights organizations requested that a mechanism with the terms proposed by the IACHR is established.

In a public letter to Mexican President Peña Nieto, WOLA and eleven international and regional human rights organizations urged the Mexican government to create an effective mechanism to follow up on the investigation of the enforced disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students.

Third Member of Honduran Environmental Organization COPINH Murdered Since March

cscorpio — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 22:13:53 +0000

Brutal killing of Lesbia Janeth Urquía underscores the deeply troubling pattern of violence against human rights defenders in Honduras

Honduran authorities must take meaningful and serious steps to address what appears to be a pattern of repression against human rights defenders.

Press Release

Republican House Leadership Signals Shift on Cuba

sbernal — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 22:06:09 +0000

Broad and bi-partisan support for measures to ease trade and travel restrictions on Cuba led to controversy in the House of Representatives on Wednesday night, and ended with an agreement that signals a shift in the House leadership’s attitude toward Cuba policy change.

Cuba Votes in House of Representatives Expected Tonight

gramsey — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:51:51 +0000

Republicans Take Lead on Cuba Trade and Travel

When the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill comes to the House floor, likely on Wednesday, July 6, Republican Members of Congress will take the lead in offering two amendments that would ease travel and trade with Cuba. Debate on the amendments is expected Wednesday evening, with votes on Wednesday or Thursday.

Washington, D.C.—When the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill comes to the House floor, likely on Wednesday, July 6, Republican Members of Congress will take the lead in offering two amendments that would ease travel and trade with Cuba. Debate on the amendments is expected Wednesday evening, with votes on Wednesday or Thursday.

WOLA Announces Recipients of its 2016 Human Rights Awards

lriesenfeld — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 19:53:47 +0000

Honorees Show Unwavering Commitment to Human Rights in the Americas

Press Release

Washington, D.C.—WOLA (the Washington Office on Latin America) is proud to announce the recipients of its prestigious Human Rights Awards for 2016. Each year, WOLA presents this award to organizations or individuals who exemplify a commitment to WOLA's vision for the future, where human rights and social justice are the foundation for public policy. The 2016 Human Rights Awards recipients have shown unwavering dedication to advancing human rights in the Americas.

Supreme Court Immigration Ruling Puts Millions of Families at Risk

lriesenfeld — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 18:49:13 +0000

WOLA Statement

On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively blocked the Obama administration’s plans to provide relief to millions of people who live in the United States without legal status. The split 4-4 decision leaves in place an appeals court ruling that halts the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs.

Colombian Government, FARC Expected to Sign Accord to Implement a Bilateral Ceasefire

lriesenfeld — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 18:55:35 +0000

WOLA Experts Available for Comment

Media Advisory

Venezuela’s Crisis Fuels Hemisphere-Wide Debate

gramsey — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 19:09:56 +0000

WOLA’s Venezuela Blog Provides In-Depth Analysis

With Venezuela’s economic fortunes deteriorating, and the opposition attempting to push for a recall referendum this year, what do the coming months hold for Venezuela, and the deepening humanitarian and political crisis there? Where do fundamental issues of human rights, citizen security, and corruption fit into the broader political debate?

This week, as Venezuela battles an ever worsening economic and political crisis, the Organization of American States (OAS) will host a hemisphere-wide debate over Venezuela’s democratic institutions. At the same time, Venezuela’s neighbors in the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) continue to encourage constructive dialogue in the country. The United States government has supported these efforts, while also beginning a new round of direct talks with the administration of President Nicolas Maduro.