Human Rights Cases at a Glance:
Summary of letters written by IRTF in response to urgent human rightsabuses
On behalf of our 190 Rapid Response Network members, IRTF volunteers wrote and sent six letters each month to government officials in these countries, with copies to officials in the US. See the letters at http://www.irtfcleveland.org/content/rrn or ask us to mail you hard copies.
By signing our names to these crucial letters, human rights crimes are brought to light, perpetrators are brought to justice and lives are spared. Our solidarity is more important than ever. Together, our voices do make a difference.
Trends in 2019
COLOMBIA
targets: indigenous and Afro-descendant leaders, labor organizers, LGBTI rights defenders, women’s rights defenders, former FARC members active in reintegration into civilian society (as designated by the 2016 Peace Accords), farmers active in the national crop substitution program (switching over from growing coca to growing legal crops)
EL SALVADOR
targets: journalists, LGBTI rights defenders
GUATEMALA
targets: indigenous communities (their allies, their lawyers) defending land, environmental, and cultural rights in opposition to hydroelectric, mining, and other mega-development projects
HONDURAS
targets: journalists, protesters in the street, indigenous communities (plus their allies, their lawyers) organizing resistance to mega-development projects
MEXICO (in the southern, mostly indigenous states)
targets: community leaders, indigenous and environmental defenders
NICARAGUA
targets: news outlets, anti-government demonstrators (criminalization of student leaders, other activists)
