OAS – Race and Equality

19Feb 2020 by admin No Comments

Race and Equality – on the occasion of its fifth anniversary – holds reception acknowledging Mexico’s ratification of the Inter-American Conventions against Racism and against Discrimination

Washington, D.C., February 19, 2020. The International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) recognized the United Mexican States for its ratification of the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance and the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, during a reception held this past February 13 at the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA). The event also marked Race and Equality’s fifth anniversary of working for human rights in the Americas and featured the presence of the diplomatic mission of Mexico to the Organization of American States (OAS). The reception gathered together various ambassadors and representatives of OAS Member States with members of DC-based NGOs. It also featured the participation of Luz Elena Baños, the illustrious Ambassador of Mexico…

18Oct 2018 by admin No Comments

Cuban Officials Disrupt Launch of the Campaign “Jailed for What?” in the ECOSOC Chamber of the United Nations

CIDH, Cuba, Cuba, English, OAS, OAS, UN, United Nations

New York. October 16th 2018. Cuban officials disrupted the launch of the campaign “Jailed for What?” organized by the United States Mission to the United Nations and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the United States Department of State. During the event, which took place at the United Nations building in New York, a large group supporting the Cuban regimen constantly interrupted the speakers by banging on tables, stomping their hands and feet, and yelling statements such as “Cuba Sí, bloqueo no” (Cuba Yes, embargo no) and “Fuera de la ONU” (Get out of UN). Although the noise prevents the speakers from being heard properly in the camera, the disrupt did not prevent your message from being heard. [video width="848" height="480" mp4="https://raceandequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/WhatsApp-Video-2018-10-16-at-12.57.17-PM.mp4"][/video] The purpose of the event…

17Oct 2018 by admin No Comments

Nicaraguan journalists and human rights defenders denounce the Nicaraguan government’s use of violence and repression in response to public protests in a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

CIDH, English, IACHR, Nicaragua, OAS, OAS

Boulder, Colorado. October 2, 2018. Journalists and human rights defenders participated in the 169th Period of Sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on October 2, 2018, where they denounced the violence and repression carried out by the government of President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo in response to the social protests in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is experiencing a grave human rights crisis that has plagued the country since April 18. Since then, the government of Daniel Ortega has used violence and repression against those who have chosen to exercise their right to peaceful protest. The situation has continued to deteriorate and public protests are now formally criminalized under a police decree issued on September 28. The decree blames public citizens for aggression and harm suffered by the…

10Oct 2018 by admin No Comments

Cuban civil society activists denounce the practice of criminalization by the Cuban State during the 169th Period of Public Sessions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

CIDH, Cuba, Cuba, English, IACHR, OAS, OAS

Boulder, Colorado, USA, October 2, 2018. Cuban journalists and human rights defenders participated in the public hearings of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), held on October 1 during its 169th Period of Sessions. The hearings provided an opportunity for victims of violence, repression, criminalization and harassment, to describe to the IACHR Commissioners the repressive tactics utilized by the Cuban State to silence their voices. According to information gathered by Cuban civil society, approximately 1,633 cases of arbitrary detention have been registered during the current calendar year, up until August, of which 1,129 cases reported excess use of force against women and 504 cases against men. The government continues to use repressive tactics such as beatings, public denigration, travel restrictions and intimidation. [video width="640" height="352" mp4="https://raceandequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/02_VideoMiriam.mp4"][/video] During the…

08Oct 2018 by admin 1 Comment

The Colombian state’s failure to protect the rights of displaced Afro-Colombian communities denounced before the IACHR

CIDH, Colombia, English, IACHR, OAS, OAS

Boulder, Colorado. October 3, 2018. The National Association of Displaced Afro-Colombians (AFRODES) and the Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) denounced the ongoing humanitarian crisis of displaced Afro-Colombian communities and the failure of the Colombian State to provide these communities with protection measures and reparations during a public hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Pedro Cortés-Ruiz, Colombia representative of Race and Equality, stated that AFRODES had first come to the IACHR over ten years ago to present the alarming effects that the Colombian armed conflict was having on Afro-Colombian communities, who were being displaced, and predicted that the situation would worsen unless the Colombian State adopted public policies with a specific approach. Ten years later, the situation remains critical. According to Mr. Cortés-Ruiz,…