LAWG Blog - Latin America Working Group

"An Infinite Sadness Overwhelms My Heart...Your Absence"

by Ruth Isabel Robles on February 13, 2013

“Una tristeza infinita agobia mi corazón…tu ausencia. Triste realidad que el llanto nos arranca, mas tengo en mi tristeza una alegría ¡Que algún día te voy a encontrar!” “Hija, solo vivo para encontrarte.”
MPJD_MEXICO_TRIP_BLOG
“An infinite sadness overwhelms my heart..your absence. This sad reality moves us to weep, but within my sadness is a happiness that someday I will find you! Daughter, I only live to find you.”

This was one of many homemade signs hung by victims on the walls of the high school auditorium where victims of violence and human rights activists from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. gathered in Mexico City last month to take stock and chart next steps for Mexico’s Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity (MPJD). Before discussions started, Father Solalinde, a Catholic priest well-known for his valiant efforts to protect migrants at a shelter in Oaxaca, reminded us all of the urgency of this effort, calling us to “ponernos las pilas,” to buckle down and focus on moving the effort for peace and justice forward...

:2013, Blog Posts, Mexico, Promote Justice for Mexico and the Borderlands, Ruth Isabel Robles, U.S.-Mexico Border

Now is the Time for Peace with Justice: Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia

by Omar Martinez on February 07, 2013

Now is the time. With spring just around the corner, it’s time we all start thinking about Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia. Every year, communities across the United States come together and join in solidarity with our Colombian brothers and sisters in an effort to show policymakers that now is the time for real change in U.S.-Colombia policy.

:2013, Blog Posts, Colombia, Omar Martinez, Stand by Colombia's Victims of Violence

A Year of Ups and Downs for Labor in Colombia: ENS End of 2012 Review

by Omar Martinez on February 05, 2013

2012 has come and gone and Colombia still has far to go in following up on the Labor Action Plan (LAP). The Labor Action Plan was signed by both the U.S. and Colombian governments during the contentious debate for approval of the Colombia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. It was intended to serve as a road map to address severe labor rights problems in Colombia as well as the systemic problem of anti-union violence which has made Colombia in recent years the most dangerous country in the world to exercise worker rights...

:2013, Blog Posts, Colombia, Omar Martinez, Stand by Colombia's Victims of Violence

"What Should America Do About Gun Violence?"

by Emma Buckhout, LAWG Intern on February 04, 2013

That was the title of the January 30th Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to consider how Congress should move forward to address gun violence. Emotions ran high as the hearing began with a statement from Gabrielle Giffords, the former congresswoman from Arizona who survived a gunshot wound to the head two years ago. She still struggles with speech, but as she faced the Senate members, she spoke with a determination and force belying the gravity and urgency of her message. “Too many children are dying. Too many children. We must do something. It will be hard, but the time is now. You must act. Be bold. Be courageous. Americans are counting on you.”...

:2013, Blog Posts, Mexico, U.S.-Mexico Border

Ríos Montt to be Tried for Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity in Guatemala

by Omar Martinez on January 30, 2013

Our partners at the Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA posted this blog about a historic ruling for justice in Guatemala on January 28, 2013. Here's their blog:

A Guatemalan judge affirmed there was sufficient evidence against Generals Ríos Montt and Rodríguez Sánchez to proceed with the case against them. The first hearing will be held on Thursday, January 31.

:2013, Being Better Neighbors towards Latin America, Blog, Blog Posts