The Global Compact for Migration was adopted
More than 160 UN member countries endorsed the Global Compact for Migration at an intergovernmental conference held on December 10-11. This agreement includes some important advances, above all in a context of growing xenophobia and nationalism in Latin America and the world.
We seek to act as plaintiffs in the Acindar case
A plant owned by the Argentine steelmaker housed both a clandestine detention center and a police outpost during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. Company executives pointed out the workers who should be kidnapped and provided the military with photographs from their personal files so they could be identified.
The Ford case: prison terms of 10, 12 and 15 years
After 15 years of judicial investigations and a year-long trial, a federal court in Argentina found two former heads of Ford’s plant in General Pacheco guilty of acting as direct participants in illegal detentions and torture during the 1976-1983 dictatorship. This is a milestone in the sanctioning of civilian responsibility in state terrorism.
IACHR sounds alarm over rising militarization in the region
In a hearing they described as “historic,” members of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) affirmed that the militarization of public security leads to an exponential increase in human rights violations. They also cautioned about the return of the national security doctrine in the region.
Supreme Court rules the “2 for 1” benefit is not applicable to crimes against humanity
The high court ruled on the case of Rufino Batalla, convicted to 13 years in prison for the kidnapping, torture and murder of Laura Carlotto and Olga Noemí Casado, and who had requested that the “2 for 1” sentence reduction provision be applied to his case. By determining it was inapplicable, the Supreme Court modified the criteria it had utilized in the Muiña ruling, which prompted widespread repudiation and led to the approval of a new law.
Militarization of the region at the IACHR
The militarization of public security is on the rise across the Americas, with very troubling consequences. For that reason, 17 organizations from 10 countries requested a regional hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which will be held on December 6.
Security Ministry promotes the abusive use of lethal force and weakens oversight of police
The government modified regulations on the use of firearms by security force members. The move weakens judicial oversight, and the broad nature of what is defined as an “imminent danger” justifies and enables the abusive use of lethal force.
The Internal War: How the fight against drugs is militarizing Latin America
Autor/a: CELS
61 pgs.
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Using the G20 as an excuse to justify state violence
On the pretext of the upcoming G20 meeting in Buenos Aires, the government is promoting the notion of “internal enemies” and trying to justify greater levels of persecution of political dissidence and repression and criminalization of protest.
Beristain: “Reparation must be attuned to the needs of victims”
When victims of human rights violations or their relatives seek justice, it is fundamental that they have psychological support. Organizations from the region that do such psycholegal work met in Buenos Aires to exchange strategies.
Misoprostol for obstetrical and gynecological use will be available in pharmacies
Argentina’s food and drug regulator authorized the sale of misoprostol in pharmacies under a special prescription mechanism. This is a hugely important move for the health of women and persons with the capacity to gestate.
Protests in Buenos Aires: activists detained and migrants persecuted
While repressing the October 24th protest, the police detained social and political activists. In addition, the national government threatened to deport the migrants who were detained.
The militarization of drug policies worsens human rights violations
At an intersessional meeting of the Commision on Narcotic Drugs (CND) of the United Nations, CELS made a presentation addressing the “fight” against drug trafficking, militarization of public security and its harmful effects on human rights. The discussions at the CND will culminate in March with a review of the global drug strategy over the last decade.
Magdalena massacre at the IACHR: Detention conditions worsen in Buenos Aires province
The Argentine state is responsible for the country’s detention conditions at the international level. The trial over the deaths that occurred 13 years ago bore witness to the grave consequences of a penitentiary system in crisis.
Rejection of Bolsonaro’s threat to put an end to activism in Brazil
Nearly 3,000 national and international NGOs, collectives and social movements rejected presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro’s remark indicating that, if elected, he would “end all activism in Brazil.” We explain the reasons why this represents a threat to democracy in the following statement of repudiation.
Crimes against humanity: Former police officers convicted of forcing Silvia Suppo to abort
Sentenced to prison terms between eight years and life, the former police officers were convicted for the crimes they committed against six activists in the city of Rafaela, province of Santa Fe. Silva Suppo, a survivor of state terrorism, was killed in 2010.
