The Costa Rican Mission to the United Nations and Race & Equality Issue an Invitation to the Panel “The United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent – Recognition, Justice, and Development: The Need for Plans of Action to Combat Historic Inequalities Faced by Afro-descendants”

Within the framework of the 73^rd General Assembly of the United Nations, the Costa Rican Mission to the United Nations, in collaboration with the International Institute on Race, Equality, and Human Rights (Race & Equality), will hold a panel on 27 September named “The United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent – Recognition, Justice, and Development: The Need for Plans of Action to Combat Historic Inequalities Faced by Afro-descendants,” which will serve as a space for reflection with the participation of Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs from Costa Rica Epsy Campbell and the rapporteurs from the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) of the United Nations, Gay McDougall and Pastor Murillo.

The goal of this space is to explore strategies for developing concrete plans of action for combatting historic inequalities confronted by Afro-descendants in the Americas and the Caribbean. The panelists will share their experience with international standards for combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance, as well as discussing the possibility of developing best practices for consideration by States as they draft and apply their plans of action.

The International Decade for People of African Descent represents an important commitment to the fight against racism; as such, the scenarios for dialogue to sensitize and reflect on the urgent need to design mechanisms for action that foster respect for [and] protection of, as well as [enable the] exercise of all of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of Afro-descendants should constitute a priority commitment by States, while additionally reinforcing measures aimed at dismantling the numerous obstacles faced by millions of people in all regions of the world. It seeks to reinforce the laws that prohibit racial discrimination, help to guarantee their application, and foster greater awareness of Afro-descendants’ cultural heritage and that community’s fundamental contributions to the progress of humankind.

In 2014 the General Assembly approved a program of activities for the International Decade containing specific measures that should adopted by governments and all other agents whose efforts are related explicitly or implicitly to issues regarding Afro-descendants in any part of the world in the spheres highlighted by the Decade: recognition, justice, and development.

Cuba denies existence of racial discrimination to the UN CERD Commitee

Washington. Sept 16. 2018. On August 16, Cuba categorically denied the existence of racial discrimination in Cuba to the group of independent experts of the United Nations (UN) that form the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) during the review of Cuba under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The purpose of the review is for Cuba to present information on how it has implemented action plans to combat racial discrimination.

Rodolfo Reyes Rodríguez represented Cuba at the review and stressed during his presentation on behalf of the Cuban state that Cuba does not have a structural or institutional racism problem. He also emphasized that in Cuba, racial and ethnic minorities do not experience any difference in treatment legally, politically, or socially and that the concepts of “Afro-Cuban” or “Afro-descendant” do not exist in Cuba because this population is not regarded as any different from the rest of the population. He stated that according to the results of the 2012 population census, 9.3% of the population identified as Afro-descendant because of the mixed heritage of the population. He explained that all citizens self-identify themselves as white, mixed or black just based on the color of their skin, but all are considered Cuban citizens with the same inherent rights and responsibilities. (You can read the full presentation of the Cuban representative here)

In response to the information presented, the CERD Committee issued its report of recommendations on August 31. In the report, the Committee finds that, contrary to the information presented by the Cuban state, the Afro-descendant population in Cuba continues to suffer from racism and structural discrimination as a result of the historical legacy of slavery. The report also concludes that this discrimination is demonstrated by and results in this population being unable to exercise economic, social, and cultural rights to the same extent as other Cubans. According to the report, the Committee is concerned about the challenges the Afro-descendant population faces in accessing the labor market; the low levels of Afro-descendants in decision-making positions, both in the public and private sector; and the disproportionate levels of poverty affecting this population.

In its list of recommendations, the CERD Committee also expresses great concern that the methodology used in the census does not result in objective information that accurately presents the racial composition of the country. In this regard, the Committee calls on the Cuban State to review its methodology for collecting demographic data in the census in order to design questions and strategies with the input of the Afro-descendant population that will result in their self-identification and generate more accurate results.

The CERD Committee report calls on the Cuban State to include a clear and explicit definition of racial discrimination in its Constitution, which is currently being updated.

The Committee also recommends that the State include a gender focus in its policies and strategies to combat racial discrimination in order to address the many forms of discrimination affect women, particularly Afro-descendant women, who face greater obstacles in accessing the labor market. The Committee also stressed the need to create as opportunities for women to participate in politics and to hold decision-making roles.

The CERD Committee condemned allegations of harassment, intimidation, and hostility against those who defend the rights of Afro-descendants.

Specifically, the CERD Committee’s Rapporteur for Cuba, Silvio Albuquerque, mentioned violations of the right to freedom of movement. Juan Antonio Madrazo, Coordinator of the Citizen’s Committee for Racial Integration (Comité Ciudadano por la Integración Racial), was prevented from leaving Cuba to participate in the review, and Roberto Mesa, Coordinator of the Black Brotherhood (Cofradia de la Negritud) was arbitrarily detained a few days before he was scheduled to travel. The representative for Cuban denied any acts of repression taking place against human rights defenders, instead asserting that these individuals pass themselves as human rights defenders but are mercenaries of the United States, paid to make false allegations of human rights violations. In its report, the CERD Committee laments the Cuban government’s denial of these violations and their failure to take measures necessary to investigate them and prevent them from occurring.

Race and Equality observes the statements presented by the Cuban government to the UN CERD Committee with great concern. The lack of specific and conclusive information provided by the government as well as its flat denial of the discrimination and human rights violations suffered by Afro-Cubans is further evidence that discrimination and structural racism are alive and well in the country.

Race and Equality thanks the CERD Committee for the recommendations offered to the Cuban government, which are to be implemented into the laws and policies of the country in order to effectively guarantee the protection of the human rights of all Afro-descendants in Cuba.

International Bisexuality Day: A Day to Remember the Sexual Diversity that Comprises and Complements Our Society

Washington, September 22, 2018 – Each year since 1999, International Sexuality Day is commemorated on September 23^rd: a day to remember the sexual diversity that comprises and complements our society, as well as the urgent need to continue working for the recognition of the rights to individual liberty, autonomy, and identity of all persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, and especially the assertion and recognition of the rights of bisexual persons.

To that end, we applaud with appreciation the recent press communiqué on International Bisexuality Day issued jointly by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and experts from the United Nations: we believe that these types of statements are essential in the fight against the ‘invisibilization’ of the barriers and discrimination that impact bisexual persons and provide concrete data that help to eradicate misconceptions that are permeated by stigmas surrounding bisexuality. To that end, the authors state in the communiqué that bisexuality refers to “the capacity for emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction to more than one sex or gender.” From our work with our counterparts in the region, we note with concern the frequency with which the sexual orientation of bisexual persons causes them to experience significant discrimination, in that socially they are categorized as ‘indecisive,’ ‘undefined,’ or ‘promiscuous,’ in this manner alluding to an as-yet ‘undecided’ sexual orientation which needs to be ‘defined’ as heterosexual or homosexual. The stigmas to which bisexual persons are subject result in the ‘invisibilization’ of their realities and experiences, as well as the lack of awareness regarding the multiple challenges [and] barriers [they face], as well as the violations of their human rights.

According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA), bisexuality and bisexual persons are marginalized in all parts of the world, generating alarming figures of depression, isolation, health problems, and high rates of suicide within this population. In addition, they indicate that the indices of domestic and psychological violence perpetrated against bisexual persons are much higher in comparison with what is experienced by homosexual or heterosexual groups. In this same study, ILGA points out that “the reality of bisexual persons is unknown by social organizations and even by groups defending the rights of the LGBTI community” – the reason why there are few or no data from social and governmental organizations regarding the health, education, and access to reproductive rights of this population. Likewise, the actions implemented by State organizations do not respond to the realities of persons with a bisexual sexual orientation.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the social reality of bisexual persons is completely unknown. It is as if they do not exist, given that people tend to feel such persons are “going through a phase or presenting a deviation from [normal] sexual conduct”; as such, no statistics or official data exist on the situation of this community, either at the level of the States in the region or at the level of civil society organizations, as the latter tend to address the situations of bisexual persons to a lesser degree. In addition to this, the lack of knowledge, research, and comprehension of bisexuality becomes a worrisome limiting factor in identifying or defining barriers faced by bisexual persons.

Bisexuality is highly invisible in human rights practice and discourse; it is thus that this day becomes an opportunity to raise the visibility of the voices, stories, and experiences of bisexual persons, demand protection of the rights of all persons, demand research that will identify their needs throughout the world, and develop pedagogy regarding their reality.

Race & Equality calls on the States in the region, governmental institutions, and the LGBTI movement to fight against all types of discrimination and violence against the bisexual population. We urge them to consider developing public policies that include bisexuality within [the larger topic of] sexual orientation and consequently, collect official data to internally counteract the violence and discrimination faced by bisexual persons. Biphobia, as well as any type of expression of hatred or violence against the diverse forms of gender, identity, or sexual orientation are acts that diminish the possibility for constructing societies that are more inclusive, just, and respectful of diversity.

ECLAC monitors the 2020 Panama Census process and the participation of its Afro-descendant population

Washington, D.C. August 25, 2018. The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality), together with the National Secretariat for Afro-Panamanian Development (SENADAP), arranged for the participation of Fabiana Del Popolo, Demography Coordinator at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s (ECLAC) Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE), in a meeting of the Afro-Descendant Technical Group. The meeting was designed to provide support to and empower members of the Afro-Descendant Technical Group.

A working table meeting held on August 22, 2018 at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in City of Knowledge, Clayton, Panama, was convened by SENADAP Director Urenna Best. The meeting also included the participation of Joyce Morris of the National Institute for Statistics and Census’ (INEC) Population and Housing Section, and Elvia Duque, Program Officer for Race and Equality. During the meeting, Fabiana Del Popolo stressed the fact that Latin America is the region with the highest levels of ethnic/racial inequality in the world and that Afro-descendants are the most vulnerable ethnic/racial group. Additionally, she described historical statistics of Afro-descendants in the region, the role of the various international treaties, and the advocacy work done by Afro-descendant activists to increase the amount of disaggregated data statistics available by race/ethnicity. She also urged those present to closely monitor the State’s level of accountability to its Afro-descendant population, specifically in relation to the goals/standards of the UN Decade for People of African Descent, CEPAL’s “Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development” (2013), and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (2030). She also presented a disaggregated comparative analysis of the different methodologies and post-census results on Afro-descendant and indigenous populations in Latin America.

Members of the Afro-descendant Technical Group were very interested in Ms. Del Popolo’s analysis, which described other census processes such as those in Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela as successful examples to follow. However, she stressed that “there is no perfect question,” referring to the drafting of a self-identification question for Afro-descendants. She explained that the context of these countries is different than that of Panama, but that they present similar challenges that have been overcome thanks to the empowerment of and increase in participation of civil society during the entire census process, as well as the technical support from data experts.

Ms. Del Popolo explained that experiences such as the 2010 Census in Panama must be observed and analyzed as a whole. The analysis should not just yield information on the population percentages but must also produce information on the inequality gaps reflected in these figures. This information will form the basis for advocacy tools that can be used to demand public policies in favor of the Afro-descendant population. In this respect, she noted that “we must be clear in what we are trying to measure with a census – whether it’s diversity or inequality of a populational group in particular, or other aspects.”

Similarly, the expert stressed the need to learn from other experiences, such as those of indigenous Colombians and the Afro-Peruvian population who, despite being minority groups, have generated strategies that have improved the position of their communities.

Ms. Joyce Morris of INEC presented an analysis of the background of the ethnic/racial self-identification question in Panama. She also presented, for the first time, an outline of the question and concepts that were to be included in the home surveys of August 26, 2018, which included changes requested by the Technical Group.

The session was concluded by highlighting the advances made in the 2020 Census in Panama, which features the elimination of filter questions that lead to the Afro-descendant self-identification question. She also stressed the need for the Afro-descendant Technical Group to receive proper permanent technical support. Race and Equality wishes to continue to contribute sustainable strategies to support the 2020 pre-census, census, and post-census processes.

Ms. Del Popolo also participated as a featured panelist at Casa Amarilla, a Presidential complex where, in front of Afro-Panamanian activists, she spoke about prior census experiences from Latin America which included the ethnic/racial self-identification question. She highlighted the importance of having an Afro-Panamanian Technical Group as the first step in aligning the goals of the Afro-Panamanian population with the INEC and other key entities of the 2020 census process. In her presentation, she also urged the public to find out more about the Technical Group and to support its work.

Elvia Duque stressed Race and Equality’s commitment to coordinate with SENADAP and support the Afro-descendant Technical Working Group during its interactions with the INEC and other government institutions. She also highlighted the need to create a roadmap that will allow them to focus on the goals and steps to follow. She stressed the Technical Working Group’s commitment to thoroughly examining the results of the 2010 Census and the subsequent household surveys in order to ensure that the 2020 Census reflects the reality of the Afro-Panamanian population.

Race and Equality supports a Nicaraguan delegation to the United Nation in Geneva, Switzerland

June 2018 – The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) supported a delegation of Nicaraguan human rights activists to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland June 18-29 in order to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Nicaragua before civil society representatives, governmental missions before the UN, the UN System of Human Rights and the international community at large. Among them, Alexandra Salazar of the Network of Social Movements and Civil Society Organizations of Nicaragua, Oswaldo Montoya of the MenEngage Alliance, Ana Quirós of the Center for Health Information and Advisory Services (CISAS), and Anibal Toruño of Radio Darío.

Over the course of the two-week trip, the Nicaraguan activists met with important international actors, which included staff of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), members of international civil society, and representatives of the Permanent Missions of member countries – many from the Latin-American region – to present their stories and offer insight on the response needed to the current political crisis, including the repressions face and the increase of attacks against civil society representatives, students, the elderly, and other peaceful protestors. Their testimonies also sought to encourage the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to issue out a communication requesting that the Nicaraguan government put a stop to the violence and repression.

The activists participated in two press conferences before national and international media, which was broadcasted live through our social platforms. During the debates, the activists denounced the repression and violations of fundamental human rights at the hands of “paramilitary”, “Sandinista mobs”, and “Parapolice” groups.

Groups can be seen here: — https://goo.gl/NdRgtN

In addition, the delegation participated in the plenary of the 38^thperiod of the Human Rights Council (HRC), and in two parallel events. The first one, “Human Rights in Nicaragua: State violence and repression”, organized by the International Human Rights Network and the MenEngage Alliance, featured close to fifty participants, including Commissioner Joel Hernandez of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The event discussed the causes of the civil unrest and the presentation of a report by Nicaragua’s Permanent Commission on Human Rights’ (CPDH). The event concluded by urging the international community to denounce the situation in Nicaragua and to pressure the national government to put an end to the repression.

The event was broadcasted live through our social channels. You can see a replay here (in Spanish) — https://goo.gl/NdRgtN

The second event was organized by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, to present the report: Grave violations of human rights in the context of social protests in Nicaragua. It was also broadcasted in our social platforms and can be seen here: https://goo.gl/mmuPQZ

Finally, the Nicaraguan activists urged the international community to continue pressuring the Nicaraguan government to accept a visit of the UN Office of the High Commissioner to the country (that was later accepted); to publicly denounce government actions against its own citizens; and to request that the UN and its member states form an Independent Investigation Commission to review and sanction all crimes committed. (at the time of drafting this release there were more than 200 registered deaths associated with the conflict.)

SO THAT OUR VOICES ARE HEARD AND INCLUDED! Today We Commemorate the International Day for Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, and Diaspora Women

July 25 marks the International Day for Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, and Diaspora Women. The commemorative date was established in 1992 after a meeting in the Dominican Republic of more than 400 women from diverse Latin American countries, where they analyzed the consequences of racism and sexism in the region. The meeting also provided a space for attendees to articulate joint actions and remember historic struggles to combat these issues.

On this day we remember that the fight to bring down the humiliations caused by discrimination, poverty, and violence is ongoing. Participatory spaces are closed off because of racist and discriminatory logic against women and Afro-descendants which prevail. Women from the region continue to be the victims of a hostile war committed to condemn their voices and their chants, to violate their bodies, and take away their children.

It is important to remember that Afro-descendant women’s organizations have undertaken a lot of efforts to achieve recognition and participation in decision-making spaces. Because of this, we urge all states to promote affirmative actions in favor of including Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, and Diaspora voices in spaces that will permit the promotion of effective public policies that guarantee rights and severely condemn all types of ethnic or racial discrimination.

Today we rise up in resistance for the women suffering the war and apathy in Nicaragua, for the harassment and repression against women in Colombia, especially those who are persecuted for leading life in the territories. We rise up for those women who are not recognized and who are discriminated against in Peru; for the violence and harassment against trans women in Brazil; for the voices of the women in Panama; for the recognition of the rights of all women in the region. We will continue fighting so that our voices are heard, included.

Colombia Still Living at War

July 6, 2018 – The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights vehemently condemns the killing of eleven social leaders in Colombia this past week in the regions of Cauca, Chocó, Atlántico, Antioquía, and Tumaco. We strongly urge the national government and the international community to immediately speak out against the systematic extermination which has plagued the Colombian countryside in the aftermath of the signing of the Peace Accords on September 26, 2016, and which has incremented after the presidential elections this past June 17, 2018.

In the first three days of July, eleven social leaders have been killed, adding to the approximately 282 human rights defenders killed after the signing of the Peace Accords, based on a report from the Colombian Ombudsman’s Office. On July 3, seven bodies were found in the Argelia municipality of the Cauca region – a region which continues to be subjected to territorial disputes after the demobilization of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and which had shown favoritism for presidential candidate Gustavo Petro with 90% of the region’s votes in his favor. Also reported were the killings of Felicinda Santamaría, Afro-Colombian leader and President of the Board of Communal Action for Commune 2 in Quibdó, Chocó, and Luis Barrios Machado, a social leader from the Atlántico region. Similarly, news surfaced two days ago of the killings of Afro-Colombian leaders Margarita Estupiñan, in the village of Llorente in Tumaco, and Ana María Cortés in Antioquia, who worked as a campaign coordinator for Gustavo Petro in the region.

The systematic violence in Colombia has increasingly claimed the lives of various social leaders, who are victims of assassinations, threats and hostility as a result of their political work. The majority of the recent killings have been against Afro-Colombian women, indigenous and campesino men, and social groups who have been historically targeted by violence, and face poverty and inequality. “Peace has not yet reached our territories, and we (Afro-Colombians) are the ones who are dying. The Colombian countryside continues to be at war, the conflict has not ended, and, what’s worse, we are completely defenseless because the national government has not responded in any way, whatsoever. Our people are being killed constantly, and yet it would seem as though this isn’t noteworthy – it’s not important,” stressed Erlendy Cuero Bravo, Afro-Colombian leader who has been the recipient of threats and hostility for her work as Vice-President of the National Association of Displaced Afro-Colombians (AFRODES).

With great concern, we call on the national government of Colombia to carry out the appropriate investigations of the events as soon as possible, to reject the impunity of these killings and to grant protection measures to leaders who continue to be at risk. We also call on the international community in solidarity of this national emergency and urge the Colombian government to take the necessary measures to protect lives and put an end to the killings, which are systematically ending the lives of Afro-Colombian leaders. We demand special attention to the extermination, threats and intimidation that have plagued Afro-descendant, indigenous, and rural communities which have been historically marginalized, discriminated against, and subject to violence, poverty, and violations of their fundamental right to a dignified life. We denounce the ongoing threats against the lives of women who are human rights defenders and are victims in life-threatening conditions as a result of their efforts to be included in spaces for dialogue and participation. We remind the Colombian State of its basic obligations adopted in relation to the respect for and guarantee of rights under the subscribed international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the American Convention on Human Rights. As such, we encourage the national government to abide by these treaties, as well as to take into consideration the recommendations on human rights made to the State during the recent Universal Periodic Review, during which the international community at large issued a specific call to the Colombian State to protect the lives of human rights defenders, and to implement protection mechanisms to guarantee that their work is not criminalized.

Through our differences, we create a diverse society – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia IDAHOTB.

On the occasion of the 2018 International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOTB), the Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights along with our partner organizations and counterparts, calls for the end of all forms of discrimination, marginalization, and violence that affect LGBT persons in the Americas. We commit to construct a more pluralistic and accepting society based on alliances for solidarity.

Discrimination is bad for everyone. With tolerance for our differences, we create an accepting, representative, and just society. Achieving equality in laws and policies is the responsibility of States, but in order to achieve #ZeroDiscrimination, every individual must commit, take interest, and collectively create alliances for a greater and common good, because #TogetherWeAreStronger.

IMPUNITY IN NICARAGUA: Race and Equality denounces violent reprisals against peaceful protesters and human rights defenders in Nicaragua

Photograph taken by Nicaraguan news outlet La Prensa – WARNING: Image contains explicit content and is not susceptible for all audiences.

The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) vehemently denounces the unconscionable acts of aggression carried out by Orteguista mobs (“Turbas Orteguistas”) and the Sandinista Youth (Juventud Sandinista”) against civil society, members of the media, and human rights defenders who, on April 18, were peacefully protesting reforms implemented by the Nicaraguan Institute of Social Security (INSS).

Protesters gathered this past Wednesday, April 18 in Camino de Oriente and other points throughout the city of Managua, Nicaragua to demonstrate against reforms put in place by the INSS that would increase required contributions made by workers and employees and reduce pension benefits by 5%. Shortly after beginning their protest, they were met with violent resistance from government sympathizers deployed by the government on motorcycles as well as young pro-Sandinista groups (Juventud Sandinista – JS) who, armed with clubs and bats, lashed out against the protestors and attempted to silence the demonstration. They also stole personal belongings and injured people present in the streets.

Counter-riot police forces were also sent to the scene by the government but were unable to prevent the violence from impacting students, members of the press, and human rights defenders. Among those injured was Ana Quirós – Director of the Center for Information and Consulting Services on Health (CISAS), who suffered a severe wound to the head when she tried to protect another protester who was being beaten. “They beat me with a club as I was trying to defend a young woman who was being brutally attacked by roughly ten (10) people. They were kicking her while she was on the ground and beating her with chains and trying to take away her phone. When we came to help her, someone approached me and probably recognized me and is the one who beat me with a tube,” reported Ana Quirós as she received medical attention.

Similarly, students from various local universities including the Central-American University (UCA), American University (UAM), and the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua(UNAN) were assaulted by counter-protest groups for joining in the display against the INSS. Many commercial establishments also suffered damages as a result of the vandalism these groups committed while lashing out against protestors seeking shelter.

In response to the events, Central-American University (UCA) canceled classes yesterday and today and has issued public statements denouncing the attacks. Similarly, the U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua, Laura F. Dogu, called for peace and respect for both demonstrators and the media through her Twitter account.

The criminal acts of yesterday and today perpetrated by the mobs have resulted in at least a dozen people injured, damage to property, and theft, according to the Nicaraguan news outlet LA PRENSA. Today (April 19), students across the city continue to carry out protests, despite the ongoing violence.

Race and Equality denounces these and all acts of violence and repression against social protests, and urgently calls upon the international community, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), and the UN Human Rights System to take necessary measures to protect the right to social protest without criminalization or threat to the life and well-being of those who exercise their rights. Similarly, we highlight the specific situation of violence and harassment that human rights leaders experience throughout the Americas, as these are clear violations to the right of life, security, and the full enjoyment of liberty.

For more information, please see links below (Spanish)

Cobertura de lo ocurrido ayer (abril 18)

https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/04/18/politica/2405622-en-vivo-protestas-contra-reformas-al-inss

El País: 8 heridos en protestas

https://elpais.com/internacional/2018/04/19/america/1524095967_183633.html

Suspenden Clases en la Universidad Centroamericana (Ellos aislaron a los manifestantes que buscaban refugio de la violencia anoche)

https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/04/19/nacionales/2406167-suspenden-clases-en-la-uca-luego-de-la-jornada-de-protestas

Embajadora de los EE. UU. en Nicaragua lanza un tweet sobre la violencia; pide calma y respeto a los derechos humanos

https://twitter.com/USAmbNicaragua/status/986810277101371393

Foto viral de Ana Quirós – directora del Centro de Información y Servicios de Asesoría en Saludo (CISAS)

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1995330684067086&id=1380237905576370

Continúan las protestas en contra de la reforma impuesta por el INSS

https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/04/19/politica/2406201-en-vivo-protestas-contra-reformas-inss

Protestas por reformas al INSS dejan varios heridos en Managua

https://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/461496-protestas-reformas-inss-dejan-varios-heridos-manag/

Represión en Nicaragua: grupos de choque del gobierno de Daniel Ortega golpearon a manifestantes y periodistas en una protesta contra la baja de las jubilaciones

https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2018/04/19/represion-en-nicaragua-grupos-de-choque-del-gobierno-de-daniel-ortega-golpearon-a-manifestantes-y-periodistas-en-una-protesta-contra-la-baja-de-las-jubilaciones/

Supporting the Visiblity of Afro-Panamanians in National Statistics

Washington, D.C., March 13, 2018. The Institute on Race, Equality, and Human Rights participated in a workshop on March 8-10, 2018 in Panama City, Panama; along with the Professor Mr. Carlos Viafara as well as Panamanian activists. Mr. Carlos Viafara is one of the few Afro-descendent academics in Latin America who studies the inclusion of ethnicity questions in the censuses of the region. He is known for his studies of official statistical data on Afro-descendent and indigenous populations in the Americas. Additionally, he has supported strengthening Afro-Colombian organizations in this area.

Mr. Viafara participated in the workshop on Friday, March 9, in the United Nations buildings in Cayton, along with the National Secretariat for the Development of Afro-Panamanians (SENADAP, for its initials in Spanish), headed by Ms. Urenna Best and the National Institute for Statistics and Census (INEC, for its initials in Spanish) represented by Mr. Roboan Gonzalez. The workshop was directed at members of the Afro-Panamanian Work Table and other Afro-Panamanian activists and was designed to continue promoting dialogue about the experience and best practices developed in Latin America on including ethnic questions in censuses and surveys. Activists were also able to state their concerns over the Panamanian Census process and have those concerns addressed. This was especially significant for members of the Work Table, who are responsible along with the INEC for designing the racial/ethnic self-identification question for Afro-descendants.

Mr. Viafora emphasized the need to design one or two questions that would allow the person being surveyed to identify themselves by terms describing cultural and phenotypical characteristics, such characteristics of the community they identify with most. This would ensure that self-recognition questions are understood by those being surveyed and reflect the reality of the country. Additionally, Mr. Viafora said that collecting official statistical data on Afro-descendants represents a significant contribution to the three pillars of the International Decade for Peoples of African Descent. This data is necessary to reduce social inequality because it is used by States when creating socio-economic policies. These policies must take into account accurate population numbers in order to have significant effects.

Mr. Roboan Gonazlez from the INEC gave an analysis of the history of the racial/ethnic self-identification questions and its results from the days of colonization until the present. He also presented a first look at a draft of the question and responses that will be included in surveys in March and August 2018. The draft question incorporated some of the changes demanded by the Work Table, such as the inclusion of Afro-descendent and “moreno” (brown skin) ethnic names and categories. The workshop participants took special note of this, given that it is a key element for educating communities and activists who may not have knowledge of this information.

Through this workshop, participants were informed of the Panamanian Government’s initiative to include the racial/ethnic question in administrative registries, including health and transit agencies as well as prisons. This is being done without coordinating with the INEC, according to Mr. Gonzalez.

Workshop participants presented their complaints to the INEC representative about the lack of availability of the post-census and post-survey results specific to the Afro-descendant population. This information should be open to the public and available on the INEC’s website.

Race and Equality will continue to support the participation of Afro-Panamanian organizations in the process of inter-institutional dialogue and education for the development of a survey that will allow for the accurate identification of the Afro-Panamanian population.