Action Center - Latin America Working Group

Diego Luna Demands End to Gun Smuggling

by Ben Leiter on November 16, 2011

In too many communities across Mexico, violence has become a frightening reality of daily life, leading to the death of some 50,000 people in five years.

Recently, the Latin America Working Group teamed up with well-known Mexican actor Diego Luna to oppose one of the contributors to this violence: illegal gun smuggling across the U.S. border.

Click here to tell President Obama to Stop Gun Smuggling into Mexico.

:2011, Action Alerts

End Border Patrol Abuse against Migrants

by Ben Leiter on October 13, 2011

This is horrible and shameful news, so we’ll get straight to the point.

Over the last 5 years, migrants have suffered more than 30,000 incidents of abuse and mistreatment while in Border Patrol custody, according to a shocking new report by humanitarian organization No More Deaths. Many of the abuses plainly meet the definition of torture under international law.

Click here to sign the petition calling for an immediate end to the abuse, clear and enforceable standards for Border Patrol short-term custody, and independent community oversight of Border Patrol.

:2011, Action Alerts

Stop Dangerous Deportations

by Jenny Johnson on June 18, 2011

“PLEASE SAVE US. We as in my fellow inmates find ourselves in the Torrance County Detention Facility and we are scared for our lives.”

Fearful of being kidnapped or murdered if they were deported to Mexican states that border Texas and New Mexico, individuals held on immigration charges in New Mexico sent this plea to No More Deaths, a humanitarian aid organization that works to protect migrants in the Arizona/Sonora border area.

:2011, Action Alerts

Hold the Mexican Military Accountable for Rape and Torture

by Ben Leiter on September 20, 2011

Inés and Valentina have waited long enough. It’s time for justice to be served.

Nine long years after being raped and tortured by soldiers in the Mexican military, Inés Fernández and Valentina Rosendo—two Me’phaa indigenous women from Guerrero, Mexico—have yet to see justice done. They’re tired of excuses and sick of delays, so they’re launching a campaign that calls on President Calderón to stand up against human rights abuses by the military and hold soldiers accountable for their crimes.

But Inés and Valentina can’t do this alone. They need your help.

:2011, Action Alerts, Ben Leiter

Stand Up for Migrant Rights Defenders

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by Ben Leiter on April 07, 2011

Migrants in our region are experiencing a human rights crisis, particularly those who journey northward through Mexico en route to the United States. But, throughout Mexico, those who bravely stand up to promote and protect migrant rights are increasingly becoming victims of threats and attacks themselves.

Speak out against threats and attacks on migrant rights defenders today!

:Action Alerts

Tell President Obama: Stop Deadly Gun Smuggling to Mexico

by Ben Leiter and Jenny Johnson on July 12, 2011

Imagine waking up to the sound of AK-47s in the morning and going to bed to the cries of grieving families at night. Imagine a place where children cannot play outside for fear of being caught in the crossfire or gunned down at a birthday party.

In too many communities across Mexico, such violence has become a frightening reality of daily life. Over the past four years, roughly 40,000 people have been killed in Mexico’s “drug war.” And many of the guns that fuel this violence were smuggled over the border from the U.S. into Mexico.

:2011, Action Alerts

Help Congress Call for Justice in Mexico

by Jenny Johnson and Ben Leiter on February 09, 2011

You’ve probably heard plenty about violence committed by warring drug cartels in Mexico over the past several years. But what about the unlawful violence committed by the Mexican military?

Human rights violations committed by soldiers against civilians have skyrocketed since President Calderon took office in 2006. And of the 4,000 complaints of human rights abuses reported so far during his administration, only a single soldier has been held accountable in military jurisdiction. Why this impunity? Because crimes committed by the military against civilians are investigated and tried in notoriously secretive military courts.

Ask your member of Congress to take a stand to end impunity for human rights abuses in Mexico!

:Action Alerts