NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA
Photo courtesy of Haydee Marin, Coordinator of the ISHR Latin American Committee
The Latin American Committee of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) includes sections in Colombia, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, with additional sections based in Cuba and in the United States. Our volunteer human rights defenders on the ground monitor and report on current human rights violations occurring in their countries and also carry out a wide range of projects. These include support for indigenous education and peace building in prisons, among others.
To learn more about specific issue areas and our work in the Americas, see the updates below.
UPDATES
Express proceedings against demonstrators
After the wave of protests in July 2021, the arrested demonstrators will now be sentenced despite court breaks established by the authorities. The defendants are not granted a lawyer to challenge the scant evidence. The judicial break is used to prevent appeals.
Interview with John Suarez, Executive Director Center for a Free Cuba
The International Society for Human Rights spoke with John Suárez, Executive Director of Center for a Free Cuba. He answered questions about the current protests and the socio-economic outbreak that the Cuban people live, as well as the repression and persecution of the Cuban regime against those who criticize it.
Germany should show solidarity with the democracy movement
The nationwide protests show that Cuba's population joins the democracy movement and the creative resistance of artists. Numerous demonstration participants were abducted or arrested.
Political prisoners will be transferred to dangerous regular prisons in Venezuela
Nicolás Maduro's administration has ordered the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service to transfer custody of the political prisoners under their care to the Ministry for the Penitentiary Service.
Sick civil rights activist injected with an unknown substance
Dr. René Gomez Manzano, representative of ISHR Cuba, spent several days unconscious after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and injected with an unknown substance under the care of the Cuban regime. He lost consciousness and suffered communication issues. The ISHR demands full clarification of the events.
Nicaragua: opposition presidential candidate under house arrest
Cristiana Chamorro has been detained and held incommunicado at her home since June 3rd. She is the candidate for the opposition in the next presidential elections and has the best chance of winning the polls, removing Daniel Ortega from office after fourteen years of ruling.