May 30, 2024 Human rights live at home: A primer on remedies Most human rights struggles take place in the domestic realm. More focus is needed on domestic pathways to addressing rights violations and upholding human dignity. By Eli Rose Español
May 10, 2024 The right to direct budgeting: Using human rights to fund Indigenous self-governance The growing movement for direct budgeting in Mexico offers Indigenous organizations a model for financial autonomy. By Angel Gabriel Cabrera Silva Español
May 1, 2024 The slow coup North Carolina lawmakers have become less transparent and accountable to the public, using their growing power to erode voting rights and pass unpopular legislation. By Gino Nuzzolillo Español
March 28, 2024 Trans rights targeted during the rise of right-wing populism in Argentina Queerness in check: Right-wing populism undermines LGBTQIA+ rights By Gustavo Hernández Calderón Español
December 18, 2023 Millions of US workers live in poverty: That may be a human rights violation The UN Special Rapporteur’s report on in-work poverty documents widespread human rights abuses in US workplaces. To address these, lawmakers must protect the economic ... By Seth McDowell, Priscilla Aling, and Mikhal Kidane Español
October 17, 2023 Shaming campaigns as a human rights tool Shaming human rights abusers is an effective advocacy method, but it must be used preventatively. By José Kaire Español
June 19, 2023 Mutual aid sustains human rights movements around the world In both Latin America and in North America mutual aid movements swelled in response to the collective trauma and collective learning of the pandemic. By Antonio Gutierrez & Felipe Mesel & Emese Ilyes & Melania Chiponda Español
May 12, 2023 Indigenous human rights claims outline promising new ways of life The West ultimately needs to be more reflective about how we live our lives in a very ordinary, everyday sense. By Benjamin Davis Español
April 18, 2023 40,000 people arbitrarily deprived of their nationality in Colombia Arbitrary cancellation of nationality has serious sociolegal effects that are being documented in Colombia. By Andrés Besserer Rayas & Maria Fernanda Orozco Naranjo & Sebastian Portilla Parra & Gabriela del Pilar Thiriat Pedraza Español
March 29, 2023 Venezuela: Flourishing in the abyss Venezuela's democratic political and social leadership needs to reflect on its strategies to confront authoritarianism, as well as its strengths and weaknesses, ... By Rafael Uzcátegui Español
February 27, 2023 The climate emergency at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights The Inter-American Court will likely be the first regional human rights tribunal to develop an advisory opinion on the climate emergency, prompting normative effects ... By Thalia Viveros Uehara & Juan Auz Español
February 22, 2023 When the Ferguson uprising came to Geneva A shadow report presented to the Committee Against Torture brought police brutality in the US to an international human rights scenario. By Joel R. Pruce Español
February 13, 2023 Activists face police surveillance outside protest settings in Minnesota Protesters of African descent, victims of police brutality, and their families need accountability and healing to find justice. By Isabel Huot-Link & Angela Rose Myers & Socorro Topete Español
December 16, 2022 Deprivation of liberty: when is it acceptable? A new Advisory Opinion of the IACtHR underscores the penalties that deprive pregnant women, caregivers, elderly and Indigenous persons of their liberty. By Patricia Tarre Moser Español
November 15, 2022 Land grabs in Haiti are on the rise, while mining poses another threat Between 2006 and 2013, the Haitian government granted more than 50 mining permits to three U.S. and Canadian companies to explore land occupied by dozens of communities ... By Yulanda Lui & Samuel Nesner Español Kreyòl
October 27, 2022 People’s participation in high-level decision-making spaces on regional migration Despite long-standing obstacles, Latin American and Caribbean local and national migrant- and diaspora-led associations and organizations have involved themselves ... By Mara Tissera Luna Español
October 21, 2022 “I had an abortion thanks to a video on TikTok”: digital activism and social change Social networks can help social change in unexpected ways. By Viviana Bohórquez Monsalve Español
September 16, 2022 Revitalizing the UN human rights treaty bodies through regionalization Five reasons why the proposal to regionalize treaty body meetings would work. By Marcia V. J. Kran & Shelley Inglis Español
August 9, 2022 Land grabs in Haiti sow climate vulnerability and violence against women Land grabs in Haiti cause women to further suffer violations of environmental and women’s rights and exacerbate climate vulnerability. By María Alejandra Torres García Español Kreyòl
May 3, 2022 The right to health in the Global South: between epidemiology and the pharmaceutical industry Despite Big Pharma's decisive role in the transformation of the right to health, it continues to play a secondary role in the literature. By Everaldo Lamprea Montealegre Español
April 25, 2022 Child migrants are children first As a matter of human rights, our policies must consider child migrants by their status of child before their status of migrant or litigant. By Sarah Damoff Español
March 10, 2022 Centering gender in the housing crisis The women’s movement is yet to center the specific concerns of poor and unhoused women. By Gabriela Tsudik Español Русский
February 24, 2022 Plato's Cave has an exit: Using data to illuminate human rights A data-centered approach is fundamental in understanding our institutions and designing more effective strategies. By Rodrigo Dornelles Español Português
December 6, 2021 How new uses of conscience-based claims hinder progress on abortion rights Making sexual and reproductive health services accessible in practice means the limits of invoking conscientious objection must be incisively interrogated. By Andrés Constantin & Kayla Zamanian Español
November 3, 2021 Bilingual climate justice trajectories In this Data Column, we explore and compare the usage of several climate-related terms in English and Spanish to track how they have evolved over time. By Sebastián Villamizar Santamaría Español
October 28, 2021 Lifting the veil of secrecy on rights abuses caused by Brazil’s mining industry Mining companies must tackle human rights abuses or risk communities saying no to their operations. By Athayde Motta & Miles Litvinoff Español Português
October 25, 2021 Haitian migration through the Western hemisphere: a racial (in)justice analysis A transnational racial justice lens is essential to understand recent Haitian migration through the Americas, but also to develop any future policy responses. By S. Priya Morley Español
October 22, 2021 Timeful strategies for Indigenous self-determination: lessons from the Purhépecha How a temporal perspective affects the struggles for Indigenous self-determination By Angel Gabriel Cabrera Silva Español
October 18, 2021 History shows that UN country-specific Special Procedures are tools for positive change History has shown that despite strong opposition to Special Procedures, they have been valuable mechanisms for catalyzing positive changes at the local level. By Mariana Montoya & Marc Limon Français Español
October 15, 2021 Moving fast on climate: the urgent need to tackle short-lived climate pollutants in Latin America and the Caribbean The human rights framework can buttress the responses needed to address the emergency, providing tools to guarantee human dignity and the right to a healthy environment. By Viviana Krsticevic Español
September 24, 2021 From the domestic to the international: Jamaica’s 1961 human rights policy How the domestic trends of human rights policy in the Global South can provide a deeper understanding of modern international rights practice By Steven L. B. Jensen Español Français
September 16, 2021 Personal resources and those of family and friends, not the State, guarantee ESCR in Jalisco The Mexican State failed in its obligation to guarantee access to human rights for millions because it did not have a sufficient social security infrastructure ... By Alejandro Anaya Muñoz & David Foust Rodríguez & Carlos Moreno Jaimes Español
August 16, 2021 More than lack of capacity: active impunity in Mexico Impunity in Mexico is not accidental, random, or involuntary. Instead, impunity results from a chain of actions taken with the express purpose of undermining investigations. By Patricia Cruz Marín & James Cavallaro & Alejandro Anaya Muñoz Español
May 31, 2021 Washing off the Trump Stink: reclaiming human rights in the United States Once immediate policies have minimized Trump Stink, what are the implications for the US’ long-term identity? By Kurt Mills & Rodger A. Payne Español
March 24, 2021 Collaborative research in the midst of crisis: an observatory on disappearance and impunity in Mexico How The Minnesota Model helped this organization understand its own identity and role in advocating for Mexico's disappeared or missing persons. By Karina Ansolabehere Español
March 5, 2021 After Trump, self-reflection is vital for the human rights community If the human rights community wants to maintain relevance and credibility, it needs to introspect. By Nicolas Agostini Español
March 2, 2021 Gender and war: rethinking harmful research practices in 2021 A Colombian lawyer and professor reflects on how research can serve as a complement to peacebuilding, but also as a catalyst for further conflict and trauma. By María Daniela D. Villamil Español
February 26, 2021 America’s re-engagement with the Human Rights Council: remember Resolution 43/1 How the USA deals with the process launched with resolution 43/1 will speak volumes about how it intends to engage with the Human Rights Council. By Peter Splinter
February 9, 2021 Adverse possession & the right to housing: a rights based approach The idea of dignity and security as being fundamental components of the right to housing overlaps with the doctrine of adverse possession. By Shivani Danielle Jacelon Español
February 5, 2021 Women human rights defenders lead in the collective protection to defend life and territory "To confront attacks on women and land simultaneously, we have had to learn to tackle discrimination and dismantle unequal power relations in all spheres at once." By Aura Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic & Marusia López Cruz & Laura Carlsen Español
December 21, 2020 Tainted Stones: Sandstone produced by bonded labor and child labor makes its way into the United States Effective efforts to combat bonded and child labor in the Indian sandstone supply chain will require a nuanced approach to establish the right incentives to enforce ... By Waris Husain & Sonali Dhawan हिन्दी
December 21, 2020 Why are white evangelicals anti-human rights? The anti-human rights position of white evangelicals in the U.S. is less about religion and more about politics. By Howard Lavine & James Ron & Richard L. Wood Español
December 16, 2020 UN Human Rights recommendations key to US post-election era A genuine step for the Biden-Harris administration would be to formally establish a standing coordination mechanism across all relevant parts of the US government ... By Joshua Cooper & Shelley Inglis & Joel R. Pruce Español
December 9, 2020 Coming to grips with populism after Trump Returning to the rule of law and fortifying democracy in the U.S. will best be accomplished by reemphasizing the country’s own democratic and egalitarian values, ... By Gerald L. Neuman Español
November 30, 2020 Protesting for racial justice, met with excessive force McKay and Heisler reflect on the role of medical personnel when treating patients victims of excessive police force. By Donna McKay & Michele Heisler Español
November 3, 2020 Who thinks human rights are respected in the United States, and why does it matter? Based on a representative sample, researchers found that respondents’ assessment of current human and civil rights conditions was strongly correlated with their ... By James Ron Español
November 3, 2020 Teaching young children in a flawed democracy What can we learn from teaching democracy to third graders? By Kevin Hershey Español
October 9, 2020 Moving beyond allyship with Indigenous communities to defend the environment For environmental and human rights defenders in support of indigenous communities, one of the paths forward is through legal arguments. By Wyatt Gjullin Español Português
August 18, 2020 The pandemic shows that now is the time to end immigration detention Immigration detention is rarely justified and now poses a greater risk to the public given the spread of COVID-19 in ICE facilities. By Susan M. Akram Español
August 13, 2020 Refugees and migrants in Ecuador face rising risks among decreased protections The pandemic and decreased recognition of refugees in Ecuador are compounding risks to the already precarious lives of asylum seekers. By Diana Herrera Español
July 22, 2020 Our post-COVID future should be as much about welfare as it is about tech Surveillance thrives in unequal environments, and the pandemic has increased inequality. We need a welfare state for our digital information economy. By Beatriz Botero Arcila Español
July 21, 2020 Workplace sexual harassment in Mexico: towards gender-transformative remedies Can new, non-judicial approaches to gender-based violence and harassment in Mexico effectively supplement judicial avenues? By Paulina Madero Suárez Español
July 16, 2020 Protecting freedom from domestic violence and the right to asylum The restoration of asylum rights to domestic violence survivors in the US illuminates the power of strategic litigation to create positive change—but there are ... By Rachel Freed & Joshua Leach Español
July 13, 2020 Twice the work and half the support: COVID-19 and single working mothers How can businesses help to reduce the pandemic’s unequal burden on single mothers? By Kayla Winarsky Green Español Français
July 13, 2020 Budgets are political documents: can they help control the pandemic and fight for justice? Budgetary decisions are always political, and these documents are a crucial tool for civil society to protect rights and demand justice. By Ana Cernov & Iara Pietricovsky & Nathalie Beghin Português Español
July 10, 2020 Legal Empowerment during COVID-19: from JusticePower to #FreeThemAll Immigrants have decried the use of detention as migration deterrence for years, but the pandemic has given advocates a new touch point in the collective social ... By Tyler Walton Español
July 8, 2020 The Case of “Lote Ocho”: Indigenous women hold corporations accountable for violence Indigenous women in Guatemala are using the concept of extraterritorial obligations to hold corporations accountable for violence—and to set important precedents ... By Andrea Bolaños Vargas & Andrea Suárez Trueba Español
July 7, 2020 A post-pandemic world: well-being for all or deepening inequality? Putting fear aside as we emerge from this pandemic will allow space for what we value most in people: empathy, solidarity and mutual support. By Guillermo Torres Español
July 7, 2020 From Toyi-toyi to “I Can’t Breathe”: African lessons in protest and liberation Americans seeking racial justice can learn a lot about protest and liberation from Africans. By Emerson Sykes Español
July 3, 2020 Pandemic denial: an imperfect storm for autocratization in Brazil Rather than using the pandemic to consolidate power, Bolsonaro has denied the problem and clashed with his own government—could this mistake end his autocracy? By Conrado Hübner Español Português
July 3, 2020 Unprecedented ruling for Indigenous peoples by Inter-American Court of Human Rights The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has set a precedent with its decision to grant territorial and ancestral rights to Indigenous peoples in Argentina—how ... By Matías Duarte & Diego Morales & Erika Schmidhuber Peña Español
June 23, 2020 Businesses for Black Lives Matter: a human rights-based approach What role do corporations have in advocating for the rights of Black people and other racialized populations? By Manel Chibane
June 19, 2020 Why #BlackLivesMatter is about the right to life The current protests should come as no surprise in the face of such blatant disregard of the human rights of Black people and the systemic, institutional and everyday ... By Eseohe Ojo
May 22, 2020 The international protection of climate migrants: is Chile up to the challenge? Monte Patria in Chile is the first migrant community due to climatic causes in the country—why is it generating so much controversy? By Marianela Garione Español
April 13, 2020 Chile’s constitutional awakening In Chile, protests against metro fare price hikes led to an unprecedented constitutional process. By Jorge Contesse Español
March 19, 2020 Solidarity in the fight for justice: partnerships to oppose extractivism in Haiti Can activists in Haiti and American-based law students and professors create trust, honesty, and a commitment to equality in radically unequal conditions? By Nixon Boumba & Meg Satterthwaite Español Français Kreyòl
March 18, 2020 Can corporations play a role in changing harmful social norms? A “gender-neutral” approach to human rights due diligence is insufficient, and corporations should take proactive steps towards addressing systemic gender discrimination. By Cynthia Trigo Paz Español Français
March 17, 2020 Waorani women resist Ecuador’s extractive agenda in the Amazon Indigenous women in Ecuador are standing up to an extractive industry that has displaced vulnerable communities and concentrated land ownership in the hands of ... By Vanessa Daza Castillo Español Português
March 11, 2020 How to identify a contemporary authoritarian regime To identify a contemporary authoritarian regime, we can start by asking what Hungary and Brazil have in common. By Daniela Ikawa Español Português
March 4, 2020 Facebook’s new recipe: too much optimism, not enough human rights Because social media platforms dominate public forums worldwide, a governance system rooted in “social values” instead of human rights may be convenient for companies, ... By Stefania Di Stefano Español Français Italiano
March 3, 2020 When technology facilitates ICE raids that violate rights, who is responsible? Palantir has argued that its technology does not play an active role in deportations and the human rights violations that have occurred under the Trump administration, ... By Jacinta Gonzalez Español Deutsch
February 13, 2020 In a world of radical inequality, solidarity is a cornerstone of justice Can a human rights clinic, based at a well-resourced law school in the United States, stand in solidarity with activists in the global South? By Meg Satterthwaite Español Français Kreyòl
February 4, 2020 What battles over “gender ideology” mean for Colombia’s women human rights defenders Violence against women and the LGBTI community has a long history in Colombia’s state security apparatus, and recent murders of women human rights defenders are ... By Rachel Schmidt Español
January 21, 2020 Jews and Muslims in America could find unity through a common adversary Homegrown nativists in the U.S. dislike both Jews and Muslims, which could help both groups work toward mutual understanding. By James Ron & Howard Lavine Español
December 13, 2019 Chile and a global revolution for dignity The protests in Chile, and indeed worldwide, demonstrate a demand for human dignity, in all of its diverse conceptions. By Juan Francisco Lobo Español
December 4, 2019 Small states face big challenges in engaging UN treaty bodies Small states often lack the capacity to engage effectively with the treaty body system as currently structured—it must become more streamlined and present locally ... By Malene Alleyne & Felix Kirchmeier Español Français
December 3, 2019 Colombian activists use music and art to call for climate action In Colombia, children and young people are finding different ways to raise awareness and stimulate action on climate change. By Vanessa Daza Castillo Español Português
November 7, 2019 How a UN Committee Contributed to End a Controversial Mining Project in French Guiana The indigenous peoples of French Guiana used an urgent procedure of the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to help stop a mining development—more ... By Alexandre Sommer-Schaechtele Français
November 5, 2019 From impunity to justice and back again in Guatemala Guatemalan citizens must unite to resist the efforts of Guatemala’s clandestine powers to dismantle justice—but they cannot do it alone. By Rachel Lopéz Español
October 25, 2019 Venezuela: UN human rights system needs more coherence and coordination Venezuela’s election to the Human Rights Council despite UN scrutiny—including by Treaty Bodies—of human rights abuses shows need for greater coherence in the international ... By Marianna A. Romero Español
October 10, 2019 Employing the politics of solidarity against the rise of populism With the world facing increasing division and hatred, the human rights community must face this lack of compassion with solidarity. By Harsh Mander Español Français العربية
October 2, 2019 Why do high-income Brazilians distrust human rights? The existing rejection and distrust of human rights among high-income Brazilians result mostly from lack of knowledge and reflection, rather than populist or radical ... By Alexandre Abdal & Andréa Pineda & Fernando do Amaral Nogueira & Juana Kweitel Español Português
August 29, 2019 To protect human rights abroad, preach to Trump voters Religious leaders can help convince the most ethnocentric and authoritarian American voters to oppose Washington’s backing of abusive dictators. By Howard Lavine & James Ron Español
August 27, 2019 Ultra-conservative speech as political capital: Chile’s “Republican Party” Chile has long held a moderate political tradition in Latin America, but recent trends point to alarming support for an ultra-conservative leader who will undoubtedly ... By Beatriz Romero Cruzat Español
August 20, 2019 Intellectual property as a tool of empowerment When much broader communities can harness intellectual property rights, these shifts can contribute to reducing inequality and improving the standard of life for ... By Sarah Yookyung Kim Español Français
August 1, 2019 Bringing human rights home: new strategies for local organizing Declining economic conditions in cities and communities around the world have inspired more people to organize locally to defend and promote our “right to the city.” By Jackie Smith & Joshua Cooper Español
July 16, 2019 American policy is strangling health access in the global South The US Global Gag Rule is impeding far more than access to abortion in the global South—services for HIV, tuberculosis, sanitation, and nutrition are all being ... By Karen Chonofsky Español
June 27, 2019 No, Americans don’t support airstrikes that kill civilians, even when they target terrorists Polls that show Americans support airstrikes against suspected terrorists ignore some very large caveats. By James Ron & Howard Lavine & Shannon Golden
June 27, 2019 Americans to Trump: If war comes, follow the Geneva Conventions Recent studies argue that Americans are relatively insensitive to the laws of war. There’s only one problem: that conclusion is wrong. By Alexander H. Montgomery & Charli Carpenter
April 25, 2019 Climate change and human rights: lessons from litigation for the Amazon Lawsuits have become an increasingly frequent route for urgent action on climate change, but the impact of this litigation depends on citizens’ mobilization By César Rodríguez-Garavito Español
April 18, 2019 Confronting Bolsonaro’s populism – key strategies to protect human rights As Bolsonaro passes the 100 day mark of his presidency, human rights activists in Brazil can learn much from struggles to confront populism elsewhere. By Iain Levine Português
April 4, 2019 Engaging justice amidst inequality in Latin America Despite low levels of trust in the justice system, citizens in Chile and Colombia still make legal claims, but marginalized groups opt for informal strategies over ... By Lisa Hilbink & Janice Gallagher & Juliana Restrepo Sanin & Valentina Salas Español Português
March 6, 2019 Fragile Rights? New Challenges for LGBTQ People in the Americas The rise of religious fundamentalism in Latin America—in conjunction with the populist trend sweeping the globe—is threatening LGBTQ rights and placing people in ... By Ari Shaw & Mauricio Albarracín Español Português
January 24, 2019 Turning to the courts: lessons from Amnesty Canada’s litigation experience When human rights NGOs go to court, there are many key factors to consider beyond just “winning”. By Alex Neve Español Français
December 20, 2018 What Bolsonaro means for human rights in Brazil Under the leadership of president elect Bolsonaro, Brazil must be poised for increased threats to public security, the environment and democratic space. By Oliver Hudson & Juana Kweitel Español Português
November 29, 2018 Imprisonment as a last resort? Reforming Brazil’s prisons Systematic discrimination means that—despite vocational programs—many prisoners in Brazil and elsewhere end up with less opportunities than before they were incarcerated. By Náthaly Calixto Português
October 23, 2018 Venezuelan crisis shows the need to enhance the coherence of the UN human rights machinery Misconceived and poorly executed US efforts to reform the UN Human Rights Council failed. But the UN human rights machinery needs reform—shown by its response to ... By Ligia Bolívar Español
October 2, 2018 Treaty pushes for environmental justice in Latin America and the Caribbean Despite closing space for civil society, the new Escazú Agreement—which offers protection measures for environmental groups and defenders—is a shining example of ... By Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah Español
September 25, 2018 Public consultations push back against multinationals in Colombia In Colombia, public consultations have successfully halted exploitative mining projects. But can these consultations help to fight back against corruption? By Antonio Sanchez Gomez Español
September 5, 2018 Battling impunity in Mexico: an innovative strategy of international advocacy An innovative intervention by international experts in Mexico invigorated the work of human rights organizations to fight against systemic impunity in the country By Gabriela Kletzel & Angel Gabriel Cabrera Silva Español
August 27, 2018 In Haiti, legal empowerment is resistance against exploitation Social movements in Haiti are reimagining justice in order to fight back against exploitation by the mining industry. By Samuel Nesner & Ellie Happel Français
August 21, 2018 Local community funding: what’s possible in Latin America? Shifting to local community funding is possible in Latin America, as a case in Argentina clearly shows. Can more organizations make such similar shifts in a sustainable ... By Gastón Chillier Español
July 19, 2018 Resilience in non-democratic contexts: Perspectives from Venezuela As elected governments increasingly launch power grabs and smear campaigns against their critics, NGOs across Latin America must work together to restore democracy, ... By Rafael Uzcátegui Español
July 5, 2018 Legal empowerment allows indigenous Ecuadoreans to fight multinationals Activism against environmental exploitation in Ecuador requires going up against titanic powers, and legal empowerment has helped indigenous groups do just that. By Juan Auz Español
June 29, 2018 Family separation: a flashpoint in the global migrant crisis Situations of inhumane treatment and abuses of power are where we need human rights the most, and the family separation issue in the United States is symptomatic ... By Brian Root & Rachel Schmidt
May 10, 2018 Creating a healing space for women human rights defenders Self-care and collective care do not erase the stress and tensions of everyday life, but using these strategies can sustainably improve our coexistence and work ... By Ana María Hernández Cárdenas & Nallely Guadalupe Tello Méndez Español
March 15, 2018 Fighting for indigenous rights in the Trump era American Indians are actively resisting Trump’s efforts and working to achieve their civil and human rights, even as US federal and state governments work to erode ... By Tereza M. Szeghi Español
March 13, 2018 New climate change lawsuit in Colombia part of growing, worldwide trend A new lawsuit in Colombia involving young plaintiffs seeks to protect their rights to life and health by preventing deforestation and holding the government accountable ... By Camila Bustos Español
January 18, 2018 Participatory grantmaking helps to shift power relations in Mexico Powerful results surfaced when a Mexican women’s rights funder began to give decision-making power to local activists. By Jenny Barry Español
January 16, 2018 Using cross-movement collaborations to tackle human rights complexities Human rights problems are increasingly more complex and cross-cutting. Can collaboration across issue areas and geographic regions make advocacy more effective? By Claudia Samcam Español
January 11, 2018 Why is the Inter-American Human Rights System lagging on climate change? The Inter-American Human Rights System is an important tool for Latin American human rights defenders, but why are the Court and the Commission lagging behind on ... By Juan Auz Español
November 24, 2017 Trump’s threats to a liberal world order are not entirely new Trump’s attitude towards human rights is not entirely new: our presumed liberal world order is more about liberal economics and pursuing wealth than about protecting ... By David Forsythe
November 21, 2017 Scientists and activists collaborate to bring hard data into advocacy A new collaboration in Colombia is bringing together activists, scientists, physicians and other experts to collect hard evidence on the human rights impacts of ... By César Rodríguez-Garavito Español
November 17, 2017 Is the UN a friend or foe? Many Republicans believe that the UN curbs America’s interests, but people in the global South often view the UN as a tool of the United States. Why? By Charles T. Call & David Crow & James Ron Español Français العربية
November 10, 2017 How not to produce energy: lessons from Brazil’s Belo Monte dam Due to lack of community consultation and negative socio-environmental impacts, the Belo Monte dam in the Brazilian Amazon has become a prime example of how not ... By Astrid Puentes Riaño Español Português
October 20, 2017 Reforming drug laws to reduce prison populations in Latin America Three Latin American countries are experimenting with drug law reforms to reduce prison populations, but getting to the root of the issue is the hardest part. By Ana Jimena Bautista Español
September 14, 2017 Court judgements are shaking political foundations—and upholding rights In Kenya, Guatemala and Brazil, courts have defied presidents and shaken up politics—is court-centric advocacy one of the few remaining avenues to legitimately ... By James A. Goldston Español
September 5, 2017 Defending free speech when laws do not apply equally to everyone When the ACLU uses civil rights and free speech to defend white supremacists, it reflects the ideological foundations of rights discourses that try to erase white ... By A. Kayum Ahmed
September 1, 2017 The forgotten advocates of children's rights in Guatemala In Guatemala, children’s rights advocates are often the most heavily burdened and the most frequently ignored. By Myrella Saadeh Español
August 24, 2017 The legitimization of violence to solve social problems in Brazil Many Brazilians indicate that they would accept authoritarianism and government violence to solve social problems. By Samira Bueno & Renato Sérgio de Lima Español Português
July 11, 2017 New threats against human rights defenders require new kinds of protection Human rights organizations and funders in Latin America need to rethink how they protect defenders in light of increasing threats from non-state actors and impunity ... By Padre Melo Español
June 27, 2017 Integrating a psychosocial perspective in human rights works Integrating a psychosocial perspective requires the incorporation of psychosocial support and self-care into job descriptions and work plans By Maik Müller Español
May 30, 2017 Exploring new possibilities beyond foreign funding in Brazil Brazil has a potentially large philanthropy market, and social media may be key to tapping into this resource. By Amanda Fazano Español Português
May 4, 2017 Monetizing the human rights “brand” Marketing research can help Mexican rights groups monetize their “brand” and boost public donations. By David Crow & José Kaire & James Ron Español
May 1, 2017 Using the Sustainable Development Goals as a weapon against populism The Sustainable Development Goals could give activists the rhetoric they need to hold the Trump administration accountable. By Martin S. Edwards & Lis Kabashi
April 21, 2017 How new data can—and can’t—support academic research Human rights practitioners and researchers often ask very different questions when collecting data—how can we bridge these gaps? By Merrill Sovner
March 31, 2017 The collapse of authority: violence against prisoners in Latin America With prison riots and massacres getting out of control in many Latin American countries, what is the future of the region’s prison systems? By Luis Felipe Cruz Olivera Español
March 24, 2017 Republicans move to break with the United Nations Republicans are revisiting a move to withdraw from the United Nations and related human rights treaties—what would this really mean? By Paige Berges
March 14, 2017 Will human rights law actually protect us from fascism? Human rights regimes such as the European Convention on Human Rights are unlikely to shield citizens against the wave of authoritarianism threatening liberal democracies. By Eva Nanopoulos
March 7, 2017 Preparing for terrorism—and potential torture—under President Trump Will Trump’s unequivocal position on torture affect how the US responds to future terrorist attacks? By Courtenay R. Conrad & Justin Conrad & James A. Piazza & James Igoe Walsh
February 27, 2017 Modi and Trump - voting strongmen, voting hate Donald Trump’s win in the US and Narendra Modi’s in India two years ago are both about the majority claiming greater victimhood. By Zahir Janmohamed
February 23, 2017 Opportunities for resistance: Trump’s authoritarianism and the law Human rights values and rule of law are lost on authoritarians, but the need to clothe their action in forms of law is not. By Stuart Wilson
February 21, 2017 Refugee politics from the local to the international The Trump administration is affecting refugee politics from small towns to the world stage, and activists have a long road ahead. By Sarah Stroup
February 16, 2017 The death knell of American Exceptionalism under Trump If Trump pushes his agenda too far, Republicans concerned with liberal democracy and rule of law might start to push back. By David Forsythe
February 15, 2017 Ordinary people will pay for rights. We asked them New research suggests that if human rights organizations use evidence-based fundraising strategies, the public will donate. By James Ron & José Kaire & David Crow Español
February 8, 2017 Imagining justice for ethnic communities in Colombia Reparations for conflict-related harms as set out in the peace accords are only a fraction of many pending debts owed to Colombia’s ethnic communities. By Helen Kerwin Español
February 3, 2017 The world is watching—corporate action on Trump travel ban Many corporations have already taken a stand against Trump’s travel ban, and corporate leaders advising Trump must defend human rights. By Salil Tripathi
January 31, 2017 Haiti’s “linguistic apartheid” violates children’s rights and hampers development Haiti’s educational system routinely discriminates against those who don’t speak French—which is the vast majority of the population. By Michel DeGraff Kreyòl
January 25, 2017 Voter suppression and human rights in the 2016 American election Increasing strictness in voter ID laws and voter intimidation are threatening the right to vote in the United States. By Amelia Shindelar
January 11, 2017 Human rights as a grassroots, transformative response to Trump’s “America” Human rights—as a movement that critiques systemic inequalities and affirms our common humanity—offers a transformative alternative to a politics of fear and exclusion. By Chris Grove Español العربية
December 29, 2016 Making the human rights movement great again—amidst rising nationalism As angry rhetoric and illiberal nationalism soars globally, the human rights movement needs clear thinking rather than sudden shifts. By James A. Goldston
December 19, 2016 Human rights groups are secretly US agents. True or false? For rights activists, Trump’s victory is a dark cloud with one silver lining. For the next four years, human rights groups will be inoculated against accusations ... By James Ron & David Crow Español العربية
December 13, 2016 The UN shakes up Guatemala with the Commission Against Impunity The UN-sponsored International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) has shaken the country’s political system to its core. However, the long-term consequences ... By Christian Medina-Ramirez & Luis Mack Español
December 10, 2016 Trump’s victory could push the human rights movement to transform Donald Trump’s victory is a threat to human rights, but could it also push the movement to transform and strategize with greater urgency? By César Rodríguez-Garavito Español
December 5, 2016 Why the American Electoral College matters for human rights everywhere The history of the American Electoral College demonstrates the importance of combating violators of human rights and the institutions supporting them. By Benjamin James Waddell
December 2, 2016 The private, the social, and the political: a human rights perspective on transgender bathrooms When it comes to LGBTIQ rights, bathroom politics reflect and are often linked to much broader questions of inequality and empowerment. By Hà Lê Phan & Inga T. Winkler
November 25, 2016 Beyond blood diamonds: the violence behind the gold route Illegal gold exchanges between the global North and South are fuelling violence and exploitation, but most consumers are oblivious. By Natalia Duarte Español
November 24, 2016 Trump, the other and human rights in society The stigmatization and “othering” we’ve seen in Trump’s campaign will perpetuate systemic inequalities. By Inga T. Winkler
November 21, 2016 A post-Brexit, post-Trump World could learn from Colombia A shell-shocked America, a Brexit-divided United Kingdom and a crisis-stricken Europe: they should all note the conciliatory efforts made by Nobel Peace Prize winner ... By Christian Medina-Ramirez Español
November 16, 2016 Bringing back waterboarding? Torture policy in Trump’s America As the US prepares for president Trump, anyone who cares about human rights should be alarmed that he has pledged to restore torture as one of his top five priorities. By Lisa Hajjar
November 15, 2016 Trump’s election makes US human rights pariah A Trump presidency poses a grave threat to human rights—not only in the US but also worldwide. For human rights advocates, it can’t be business as usual. By David Petrasek Español Français
November 14, 2016 Trump and the limits of human rights No matter how good our ancestors were in creating the international human rights system, it cannot change that we might need different options now. By Samuel Moyn Español Français
November 11, 2016 International pressure on US human rights matters now more than ever Domestic politics are important, but we need international human rights law in the United States now more than ever. By Kathryn Sikkink Español Français
November 9, 2016 Fascism rising Global institutions and principles now face their sternest test. Trump’s victory suggests human rights activists should devote themselves to the morass of domestic ... By Stephen Hopgood Español Français
November 2, 2016 Is public opinion an effective constraint on torture? Americans’ support for torture increases depending on who is involved and how it is framed. By Will H. Moore Español العربية
October 5, 2016 No data, no accountability: solving racial violence in the United States Without adequate data, the US racial divide remains a matter of perception, rather than of careful empirical analysis. By Samuel L. Myers Jr. Português
October 4, 2016 Small grants can make big impacts Building a culture of philanthropy in the global South is a herculean task, but small grants can still make big changes. By Maria Amália Souza Português
September 20, 2016 The right place for the Left: the World Social Forum in Montreal In August 2016, the World Social Forum brought global justice activists to Montreal, the first time it was ever held in the global North. But this reorientation ... By Jamie K. Mccallum & Sarah Stroup
August 31, 2016 Fighting misconceptions and logistics to raise funds in Brazil Logistical issues and lack of awareness among Brazilians have created significant—but not insurmountable—obstacles to fundraising for human rights. By Ana Valéria Araújo & Maíra Junqueira Português Español
August 25, 2016 The UN undermined both public health and human rights in Haiti Failing to acknowledge its involvement in the 2010 Cholera outbreak in Haiti, the UN undermined public health norms and violated the human rights standards that ... By Valerie Percival Español
August 17, 2016 It’s time for development banks to start listening The aid community often ignores the wishes of the very people it’s supposed to be helping. The world needs a more bottom-up approach to development. By Maina Kiai Español
August 10, 2016 In Venezuela, data is power Venezuela’s lack of reliable data on socio-economic metrics poses both challenges and opportunities for human rights advocates. By Christian Medina-Ramirez Español
July 26, 2016 Colombia’s constrained peace process: how courts alter peace-making The Colombia case shows international courts do impact local peace-making, but in ways more subtle and nuanced than commonly claimed. By Sandra Borda & Courtney Hillebrecht & Alexandra Huneeus Español
July 19, 2016 The political strategy for peace After 50 years, the Colombian government has signed a historic ceasefire agreement. But how can we get more Colombians on board? By Diana Isabel Güiza Gómez Español
July 13, 2016 Why America needs a truth commission In the United States, gun deaths over the last three decades far exceed those reported in truth commissions and civil wars around the world in the 1970s, 1980s ... By Todd Landman
June 30, 2016 Naming crimes: genocide and public opinion in the United States Debates about the label “genocide” distract from the substantive discussion about whether and how to stop the killing. By Benjamin A. Valentino & Ethan Weinberg
June 21, 2016 Cross-movement organizing in Mexico leads to new resources Feminists and environmentalists are coming together in Mexico to form new partnerships with an emphasis on local resource mobilization. By Jenny Barry Español
June 16, 2016 Will evidence of crimes against humanity change anything in Mexico? A new report argues that widespread human rights violations in Mexico constitute crimes against humanity. But who will stand accountable? By Alejandro Anaya Muñoz Español
June 6, 2016 The Trans-Pacific Partnership: a missed opportunity for civil society? Civil society could have played a key role in the Trans-Pacific Partnership—why were they left out? By Mark Aspinwall Español
May 19, 2016 Does “de-Kirchnerizing” Argentina mean dismantling human rights policies? A key concern for many Argentinians, among the numerous changes Mauricio Macri’s government has implemented, is the dismantling of hard-won human rights gains. By Alejandra Dandan Español
May 16, 2016 Quantitative data in human rights: what do the numbers really mean? Everyone loves numbers, but when we use them in human rights, how often are we misrepresenting the data? By Will H. Moore
May 5, 2016 Who will take the lead on economic inequality, and who should? Human rights lack the best language and tools to describe and solve inequality’s most pernicious impacts By Chris Albin-Lackey
May 4, 2016 When national security trumps international humanitarian law, who wins? International humanitarian law is not a diplomatic conversation devoid of real world implications, and ignoring it creates a free-for-all. By Brad Gutierrez
April 19, 2016 Reclaiming space through UN-supported litigation Working together, the UN and civil society are using innovative legal action to protect fundamental human rights and re-open lost civic spaces. By Maina Kiai Español
April 13, 2016 Mexicans expect far more from the Pope than we will ever get The Pope’s first official visit to Mexico was all talk and no action, but it was exactly what many Mexicans expected. By Ariadna Estévez Español
April 5, 2016 Human rights at a crossroads: 18 months after Ayotzinapa Eighteen months after Ayotzinapa, Mexican civil society has pulled together in new and promising ways to challenge the state. By Janice Gallagher & Paula Martinez Gutierrez Español
March 14, 2016 Inequality is more than just a problem for developing countries Advanced economies are also experiencing persistent and increasing inequality, and its effect on human rights is alarming. By Todd Landman Español
February 15, 2016 Holding businesses to account in Latin America Colombia and Argentina are taking steps to hold businesses accountable for human rights abuses – will they be effective? By Nelson Camilo Sanchez Español
February 9, 2016 What does Zika have to do with inequality? Everything. Women’s rights advocates are using fears around Zika to fight for better access to birth control, but in Latin America the issues run much deeper than that. By Rachel Schmidt Español
February 3, 2016 Sustainability through direct dialogue: a Latin American success story Building a culture of giving in Latin America takes creativity, persistence and a willingness to invest in people. By Mariela Puga & Luz Aquilante & Natalia Eberbach Español
November 25, 2015 Can celebrities and fashion magazines in Mexico really influence social change? Partnering with celebrities and seeking visibility is key to mobilizing resources for the women’s movement in Mexico. By Jenny Barry Español
November 2, 2015 The ‘soft vengeance’ of peace in Colombia An agreement recently concluded between the Colombian government and the FARC rebels promises both peace and justice, and deserves support by human rights advocates. By César Rodríguez-Garavito Español
September 8, 2015 It’s all in the frame: winning marriage equality in America Was there a magic messaging bullet that helped change American public opinion on same-sex marriage? By Kevin Nix Español Français
September 1, 2015 When it comes to drones, do Americans really care about international law? Is American public opinion on drones influenced by international law, or is it the low-to-no American casualties that have more sway? By Tanisha M. Fazal Español Français
August 3, 2015 Paying for human rights violations: perceptions of the Colombian peace process New research shows that providing context for human rights issues yields a broader range of responses to peace talks in Colombia. By Ryan E. Carlin & Jennifer L. Mccoy & Jelena Subotic Español
July 2, 2015 International law and US public support for drone strikes When it comes to public opinion on drone strikes, the UN and NGOs may have more influence than we think. By Sarah Kreps & Geoffrey Wallace Español Français
July 1, 2015 More than smoke and mirrors: citizen perceptions of human rights Study finds that Mexicans’ perceptions of human rights protections are linked to individuals’ evaluations of their leaders, their government and democratization. By Dona-Gene Barton & Courtney Hillebrecht & Sergio Wals Español
July 1, 2015 Mapping human rights skepticism in Mexico Most Mexicans don’t associate human rights with protecting criminals, but surveys show this varies depending on region and political affiliation. By David Crow Español
June 4, 2015 Reframing the justice debate in Colombia The debate about whether or not—or how—to punish the crimes committed in Colombia’s long civil war should focus instead on the objectives punishment might achieve. By Paul Seils Español
May 7, 2015 How does professionalization impact international human rights organizations? The more transnational human rights groups become, the more likely they are to professionalize. This, in turn, can influence the sector’s values. By Carrie Oelberger Español Français
March 30, 2015 Muzzling humor in the Ecuadorean Revolution In Ecuador, Rafael Correa’s government muzzles critique and attacks satirists in an increasingly anti-democratic environment. By César Rodríguez-Garavito Español
February 11, 2015 The ICC and negotiated peace: reflections from Colombia The Colombian case shows the need for flexibility in balancing the duty to prosecute international crimes with the duty to negotiate an end to the civil war. By Rodrigo Uprimny & Nelson Camilo Sanchez Español Français
January 27, 2015 Where’s the evidence? Moving from ideology to data in economic and social rights To advance the polarized openGlobalRights debate on economic and social rights, we need more empirical research, and less ideology. By Octavio Luiz Motta Ferraz Español Português
January 22, 2015 Home and abroad: balancing Brazil’s human rights commitments Emerging countries like Brazil are at a turning point, struggling to balance their domestic issues with their international aspirations. By Muriel Asseraf Español Português
January 21, 2015 Multiple boomerangs: new models of global human rights advocacy The global human rights field is being transformed, and activists are inventing new, less hierarchical models of collaboration, including global virtual networks ... By César Rodríguez-Garavito Español
December 22, 2014 What does the “right to life” really mean for Catholics in Mexico? It’s time for leaders in the Mexican Catholic Church to speak up where they are most needed. By Renee De La Torre Español
November 28, 2014 The ‘interests of justice’ require challenging impunity The ICC may consider the local context, but no policy or legal decision that permits impunity for gross human rights abuse can satisfy the interests of justice. By Dan Saxon
November 4, 2014 Does the ICC advance the interests of justice? What exactly are the “interests of justice” in the context of the ICC? And should the ICC prosecutor take conflict resolution into account, or do the interests ... By Priscilla Hayner Français Español
October 12, 2014 Does “religious freedom” include the right to convert or scam others? Does freedom of religion include the right to convert others, or pressure them into giving money? By José Zalaquett Español
September 11, 2014 Myth and reality: the Catholic Church and human rights in Latin America While the progressive Catholic Church is on the frontline of defending human rights in Latin American, its conservative branch still attacks reproductive rights ... By Ariadna Estévez Español
May 29, 2014 As the world’s eyes turn to Brazil, local rights groups must seize the day The world is watching as Brazil prepares for the World Cup and Olympics. As Northern funding for Brazilian human rights groups declines, local groups must take ... By Patricia Mendoca Português
May 8, 2014 Using faith to reinforce human rights of Bahá’ís in Iran An Islamic cleric’s gesture to the persecuted Bahá’í community in Iran shows that in countries where universal human rights standards have little local resonance, ... By Nazila Ghanea العربية
February 19, 2014 Brazil needs new public mechanisms and laws to fund human rights domestically Human rights groups in the global South are dependent on international funds, but those monies are dwindling for NGOs in emerging economies such as Brazil. To survive, ... By Eduardo Pannunzio Português
December 24, 2013 Human rights in Brazil: international funders must empower David against Goliath Brazil’s recent economic growth – driven by multinational corporations and supported by the government – is a source of human rights violations and perpetuates ... By Helle Abelvik-Lawson
November 15, 2013 Mismatch: why are human rights NGOs in emerging powers not emerging? There is a perverse see-saw effect in place within the BRICS countries. In Brazil, as the government grows in prominence and companies become more global and voracious, ... By Lucia Nader Español Français Português
November 12, 2013 Human rights funding in Brazil Brazil’s economic success has led to foreign funders pulling the plug on human rights groups but a major education campaign is needed before Brazilian donors will ... By Ana Valéria Araújo Español العربية Português
June 18, 2013 The struggle for a truly grassroots human rights movement Using cutting-edge human rights perception polls, the authors explore links between social class and domestic human rights movements in Mexico, Colombia, Morocco, ... By James Ron & David Crow & Shannon Golden Español Français العربية Português Türkçe