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Post tagged in "human rights"

Mexican Federal Judges File Human Rights Petition to IACHR on Recent Judicial Reform: Vance Center Files on Judges’ Behalf

Posted on May 6, 2025

New York, May 6, 2025 – Fourteen current and former Mexican federal judges last week filed a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights documenting violations of international human rights resulting from Mexico’s recent judicial reform.  The petition states that the judges were “directly affected” by the judicial reform and urges the Commission to respond to the allegations and take action to protect fundamental rights and issue reparations for individuals impacted by the reforms. The reform, which went into effect in September 2024, violates principles of judicial independence and equality and non-discrimination, particularly impacting the participation of women in... read more

Vance Center Marks Human Rights Day with Event on LGBTQ+ Rights and Pro Bono

Posted on December 18, 2024

The discussion, titled “LGBTQ+ Legal Challenges: Global Perspectives and Pro Bono Solutions,” brought together experts from a diverse range of backgrounds to highlight and discuss the legal challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community globally, explore international human rights laws concerning LGBTQ+ rights, and share best practices from different regions to promote equality and justice. Watch the full event here Human Rights and Access to Justice Program Senior Staff Attorney Romina Canessa and Pedro Reyes, Partner at Baker McKenzie and a member of the Vance Center Committee, welcomed attendees to the discussion.  They were followed by a video address from Graeme... read more

City Bar Statement on Peruvian Congress’s Passage of Statute of Limitations Bill

Posted on August 20, 2024

On July 4, 2024, Peru’s Congress passed Bill No. 6951/2023-CR, a piece of legislation that would establish a statute of limitations on crimes against humanity committed from 1980-2002, effectively ensuring impunity for atrocities that occurred during former president Alberto Fujimori’s administration and Peru’s internal armed conflict. This decision came on the heels of an Inter-American Court of Human Rights resolution granting provisional measures in the Case of Barrios Altos and Case of La Cantuta v. Peru, both of which involved accountability for massacres committed under the Fujimori regime. Despite the Court’s admonishment of the bill and directive to the State... read more

City Bar Statement on Venezuela’s 2024 Presidential Election

Posted on August 15, 2024

In a statement published on August 15, the New York City Bar Association condemned the Venezuelan government’s lack of transparency concerning the results following the July 28, 2024, election and expressed grave concern about the reported use of excessive police force and arbitrary or politically motivated detentions by the Venezuelan government in response to peaceful post-election demonstrations. The City Bar calls on the Venezuelan government to fully adhere to its international and domestic legal obligations, including Venezuela’s commitment to respect its citizens’ freedoms of political speech and assembly, as well as their rights to due process of law. “Law enforcement... read more

City Bar Statement Expressing Concern About the New Legislation to Regulate Non-Profit Organizations in Paraguay

Posted on October 14, 2024

También disponible en español aquí In a new report, the New York City Bar Association expressed serious concern about proposed legislation currently under discussion before Paraguay’s Congress. The legislation is ostensibly aimed at promoting transparency and accountability of non-profit organizations but would, in fact, limit their ability to function. If passed, the law “would hinder non-profits in numerous ways, including discouraging international cooperation or alliances and potentially violating the rights to freedom of expression, association, and privacy, amongst others, that have been enumerated under international human rights treaties and standards,” the statement says. The report presents the history and key... read more

City Bar Statement Expressing Concern Over New Peruvian Law Restricting Civil Society Organizations

Posted on April 3, 2025

In a new statement, the New York City Bar Association expressed deep concern about recently approved legislation in Peru that restricts activities of CSOs and threatens fundamental rights, including freedom of association, expression, access to justice, and the right to seek international protection. The law “establishes mechanisms of prior control, censorship, and disproportionate sanctions to undermine the autonomy and independence of civil society in Peru,” the statement says. The statement urges Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Congress to review the proposed legislation to ensure protection of fundamental freedoms of association, expression and access to justice, and to refrain from undermining... read more