Join us in-person or virtually as the Latin America Caucus of ICPJ continues our 2024 Speaker Series with speaker Peter Kornbluh, the Director of the Cuba and Chile Documentation Project and a Senior Analyst at the National Security Archive.
Registration Required
Registration is free, donations gratefully accepted:
https://givebutter.com/Chile_Today
The InterReligious Task Force on Central America (irtfcleveland.org) is pleased to announce the Cleveland State University chapter of the National Lawyers Guild (nlg.org) as our partner for the 2024 Liberation Lab!
his year’s Liberation Lab (aka Social Justice Teach-In) will be held at the Cleveland State University College of Law, and will take place over two days: Thursday, March 7, 2024 (The Duty of Dissent in a State of Injustice, with a panel hosted by NLG, and a screening of The Trial of the Chicago 7), and Saturday, April 13, 2024 (Building Worlds Not Jails, with a day of plenaries, workshops, and skill shares hosted by IRTF, NLG, and other partner organizations). Each year, this event has been an informative and educational teach-in for northeast Ohio’s students and community members, thanks to the generosity of our event sponsors… which we hope will include you or your organization!
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqc-CvqzkoGtE2ywFFqZQPCO2WHkN...
On Wednesday April 10th, a judge in San Salvador will rule whether five community leaders and water defenders, members of the community of Santa Marta and the ADES Association in Cabañas, El Salvador, should be acquitted or stand trial for an alleged crime that took place 34 year ago in the context of the Salvadorean civil war.Since their detention, in January 2023, hundreds of international organizations and high profile supporters have denounced that their detention is politically motivated given the lack of evidence presented by the Attorney General's office to warrant the charges, the massive violation of legal rights and due process under the current “state of exception” imposed by President Nayib Bukele to combat gangs, and the intention of the Salvadorean government to revert the prohibition on metal mining for which the Water Defenders gained international notoriety in 2017.Please join us for a conversation with the members of the legal defense team, ADES and representtive of international organizations for an update on the case and to discuss the implications of this case in the wider fight for justice and the defense of Human Rights in El Salvador.
Approximately eleven years ago, Berta Cáceres led a group of activists to block a road, initiating a struggle against the Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam in Honduras. Despite their victory and the halting of operations in 2018, the community still faces threats and violence. Since Cáceres' murder in 2016, 70 environmental activists have been killed in Honduras, making it the most dangerous country for nature defenders. The cancellation of the project led to division within the community, with some seeing it as a victory for their rights while others anticipated development opportunities. Despite challenges, there have been some strides towards justice, with evidence implicating individuals linked to the powerful Atala family in Cáceres' assassination. However, impunity remains a pervasive issue, and the community continues to face threats and harassment. The struggle for justice continues amidst ongoing violence and institutional weaknesses in Honduras.
The historic reelection of Nayib Bukele and the New Ideas Party in El Salvador's recent election is marked by various firsts, including the introduction of online voting and voting locations abroad. Despite widespread anticipation of Bukele's victory due to his high approval ratings, the election was marred by controversies and irregularities. Bukele, known for his tough stance on crime, has seen a dramatic decrease in the homicide rate during his tenure, but this has been accompanied by concerns over human rights abuses and mass imprisonments without convictions. The election saw reports of electioneering violations and intimidation tactics, tarnishing what could have been seen as a clear democratic mandate. The outcome underscores the complexities surrounding Bukele's presidency and raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
A recent study by Caribbean Affirmative in Colombia revealed alarming statistics regarding violence against the LGBTQ community. On average, one LGBTQ person is murdered every two days in the country. Despite Colombia's progressive legal framework for LGBTQ rights, only a small percentage of cases progress to trial, and violence against the community persists. Trans individuals face the highest risk, with Colombia among the countries reporting the most hate crimes against them in Latin America. Visibility remains a challenge, particularly outside urban areas, where discrimination and violence are more prevalent. The organization calls attention to the state's indifference to these cases and demands a change in attitude from institutions to effectively address and prevent violence against LGBTQ individuals. They emphasize the need for improved data collection and enforcement of laws to ensure the safety and rights of LGBTQ people in Colombia.
The Ixil Genocide Case, targeting Manuel Benedicto Lucas García for genocide against the Maya Ixil people during General Fernando Romeo Lucas García's government (1978-1982), commences on March 25. The case marks the third genocide trial initiated by AJR. Approximately 150 survivors are expected to testify. Michelle Liang of NISGUA urges reflection on the US role in the genocide, highlighting its support for the Guatemalan military and police, which perpetuated violence against indigenous populations. The trial underscores Guatemala's post-conflict pursuit of justice, following the Interdiocesan Project of Recuperation of Historical Memory and the CEH's work. The case details the atrocities committed, including massacres and forced disappearances, and outlines the evidence gathered, including forensic reports and military documents. The ongoing trial faces challenges, including potential judicial interference and risks to witnesses. Organizations are urged to support the pursuit of justice and ensure accountability for the atrocities committed during Guatemala's internal armed conflict.
The article in The Nation by Stephen Schlesinger, co-author of "Bitter Fruit: The Untold Story of the American Coup in Guatemala," praises the U.S. government for recognizing the 2023 elections in Guatemala as a step towards making amends for its intervention in 1954. However, the critic argues that this conclusion is flawed. They assert that the U.S. has not adequately addressed the consequences of its actions in Guatemala, including supporting repressive regimes, complicity in genocides against indigenous populations, and maintaining relations with corrupt governments under the guise of democracy. The critic highlights similar patterns in Honduras, where U.S. support for a military coup led to worsening conditions for its people. They criticize Schlesinger's portrayal of the U.S. role in Guatemala and express concern about future U.S. interests in the region.
We acknowledge that this land, that we now call Colorado, was originally stewarded by the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Shoshone, and Ute people. . We are committed to uplifting our community members from these nations who reside alongside us. We are on land stolen from indigenous people, and it is our responsibility to not only do good work here and walk in gratitude, but also to support indigenous movements for justice.
