HRD killing
Wednesday 23.9.2020 Colombia - Latest Developments -
Colombia on alert with increasing massacres, social leaders killed and repression of protests
In the span of two weeks in August 2020, there were at least seven massacres in Colombia. The violence left at least 39 people dead, among them many young people and children. Read more | Read in Spanish
Friday 18.9.2020 Ukraine - Latest Developments -
Activists protest to demand investigations into death of HRD
Several dozen activists organised a protest action at the Ministry of Internal Affairs office over the death of Alexei Kuchapin, the head of the ”House of Mercy” organisation; Protesters demonstrate in support of troops; Journalist threatened after publishing article; Proposed amendments to law of trade unions undermine freedom of association Read more
Monday 14.9.2020 El Salvador - Latest Developments -
El Salvador’s Congress creates group to investigate harassment of the press using state funds
On 6th August 2020, the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) published a statement condemning President Nayib Bukele and Salvadoran public officials’ threats against journalists and the press. Read more | Read in Spanish
Tuesday 25.8.2020 Brazil - Latest Developments -
Pandemic in Brazil aggravates democratic backslide
Even as coronavirus cases increased in Brazil, President Bolsonaro and government authorities encouraged and attended pro-government demonstrations between April and July 2020. In many cases, protests by government supporters turned anti-democratic, with signs calling for a military coup, the closure of the National Congress and the dissolution of the Federal Supreme Court. Read more
Monday 24.8.2020 Honduras - Latest Developments -
Honduran defenders at high risk: two defenders killed and five Garifuna leaders missing
On 10th July 2020, 22-year-old LGBTI+ rights defender Scarleth Cáceres was shot and killed in Tegucigalpa. Cáceres was a member of civil society organisation Asociación LGBT Arcoíris de Honduras, which defends sexual diversity rights. Read more | Read in Spanish
Friday 7.8.2020 Iraq - Latest Developments -
Popular Protests: Demonstrators, journalists and human rights defenders killed, attacked & silenced
Protesters continue with the popular protests which began in October 2019 calling for an end to corruption and improved social services. Protesters face attacks, violent dispersal and arrests, as activists are assassinated and attacked for participating in protests, and for supporting the movement on social media Read more
Thursday 6.8.2020 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights continuing human rights violations
At the 44th session of the Human Rights Council on 2nd July 2020, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, provided an oral update on Nicaragua. Bachelet said her office continues to document persistent human rights violations against those who the government perceives as opponents, including human rights defenders, journalists, social leaders and former political detainees. Read more
Monday 13.7.2020 Honduras - Latest Developments -
Honduras enacts new Criminal Code enabling criminalisation of protesters and journalists
On 25th June 2020, Honduras’ new Criminal Code entered into force despite warnings from civil society that some of its provisions threaten freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. As previously reported on the Monitor, human rights organisations have said that the code enables criminalisation of protests. Read more
Tuesday 7.7.2020 Guatemala - Latest Developments -
Indigenous defender killed and others threatened and attacked in Guatemala
On 15th June 2020, Indigenous land defender Medardo Alonzo Lucero was found dead with signs of torture in Olopa, Chiquimula department. Read more
Monday 29.6.2020 Chile - Latest Developments -
Chilean police forces repress protests with COVID-19 regulations
On 18th March 2020, the Chilean government issued a decree that established an exceptional “state of catastrophe” for three months due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The legislation also allowed the president to take further measures such as restrictions on gatherings in public spaces and individuals’ movement, quarantines or curfews. Read more
