The Government reaffirmed its policy of criminalizing protests and defended its use of repression before the IACHR

During a public hearing requested by human rights, labor, and social organizations, representatives from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations expressed their concerns about the use of force, arbitrary detentions, the Ministry of Security’s protocol, and the stigmatization of demonstrators and social organizations.

  

Repression at the Congress: we call on the IACHR to protect the right to protest

Together with human rights defender organizations, we asked that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) take precautionary measures in favor of press workers, human rights defenders, and protesters. We expressed our deep concern about the recurrence of disproportionate security operations that result in people being detained and seriously injured.

  

On Milei’s “omnibus bill”

The Argentine government led by Javier Milei seeks to dismantle essential procedures and implement regressive measures affecting human rights and democracy. Within a span of three weeks, from Decree 70/23 to the proposed “Bases…” law, the Executive Branch introduced 1649 articles altering the entire social and political landscape, protection parameters, and state architecture. Congress bears the political responsibility to refrain from validating it.

  

We submit that the Judiciary declare President Milei’s DNU 70/2023 unconstitutional

We filed a petition with Argentina’s federal administrative court. It is our view that the decree violates the separation of powers, suppressing or restricting individual and collective rights and guarantees. We underscore that the DNU’s submission by the executive power breaches constitutional rules, usurping powers that are prohibited to him and reserved for the National Congress.

  

The arms market and its impact on human rights

CELS and the INECIP submitted a joint report to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to help develop legal standards to guide the design and implementation of State regulations to protect human rights in the production and marketing of firearms.

  

The price of debt: a podcast about the impact of debt on our rights

Narrated by journalist Noelia Barral Grigera and with the participation of analysts, social activists, and experts in economics and politics , among others, CELS is launching a podcast series on Argentina’s external debt. In six episodes, which will be available on Spotify, we delve into what debt is, its scope, and why it is important to understand the tangible consequences it has on fundamental rights such as work, health, and education.

  

Magdalena massacre hearing at the IACHR: the State acknowledges responsibility for the 33 deaths

More than 17 years later, the Argentine State acknowledged before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights its international responsibility for the incident and committed to put a series of measures in place to prevent such cruel deaths from ever happening again. CELS and the Colectivo de Investigación y Acción Jurídica (CIAJ) took part in the hearing as representatives of the victim’s families.

  

Patents: Life Is Not a Commodity

The economic perspective that has been imposed on accessing life-saving technology faces us with a new global division between vaccinated and unvaccinated countries. A waiver on intellectual property could eliminate unequal access to vaccines and shortages.

  

Ending the Criminalization of Abortion Is Urgent

A new political opportunity is presenting itself in the long struggle for the right to voluntary abortion, for the sake of health, equality and dignity. We urge the National Congress to do its share in expanding the sexual rights of millions of persons and make history.

  

Bolivia: Coup and the return of the military “issue”

We condemn the coup d’état, political persecution and the violence committed by those who do not respect the democratic order in Bolivia. This rupture with the rule of law should prompt an immediate reaction by the region’s states. It is imperative that regional mechanisms and UN bodies initiate a dialogue with countries, in particular to ensure the right to asylum and refuge.

  

AMIA attack: We ask that Argentina be held responsible and the case be sent to the Inter-American Court

On November 11, a pleading hearing in the AMIA case took place at the 174th session of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), held in Quito, Ecuador. The participants in the hearing included Diana Wassner de Malamud and Adriana Reisfeld, from the Memoria Activa association of family members of AMIA victims, as well as … Continued

  

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.

  

#WeMadeOurChoice

The green scarf of the National Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe and Free Abortion became part of the uniform of high school students. Teenage girls formed gender committees within student councils and are coordinating efforts to fight for their rights.

  

OAS must reject the Argentine candidate for the IACHR

The countries of the OAS must elect new commissioners to the IACHR. In February we formally objected to the Argentine state’s candidate. In addition, two ex-presidents of the IACHR, an international panel of independent experts and more than 60 scholars rejected his candidacy.

  

Kidnapped and coerced: Liliana’s story

In this photo essay, produced in collaboration with WOLA, Liliana recounts how she was threatened and forced into transporting drugs to Argentina, where she is now being incarcerated far from her two children in Venezuela.