Vance Center Joins Regional Events on Anti-Corruption and Victims’ Rights in Miami

Speakers and participants in the side event at the University of Miami, November 19, 2025. Photo credit: Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF)

These gatherings took place in parallel with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ (IACHR) 194th Period of Sessions in Miami, which offered a timely platform to connect with participating organizations and advance regional coordination.

Institutional Integrity Program Advisor Cuitlahuac Castillo Camarena represented the Vance Center and presented its work at both events, as part of the Stronger Together initiative with the Global Civil Society Coalition for the UNCAC (United Nations Convention on Corruption).

Increasing Participation of Victims and CSOs

On November 19, the University of Miami hosted a public event alongside the IACHR sessions, entitled “Cuando la corrupción nos toca: ¿Cómo fortalecer la participación de víctimas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil?” (“When Corruption Affects Us: How to strengthen participation of victims and civil society organizations?”)

The panel, held in Spanish and co-organized by the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) with the University of Miami School of Law’s Human Rights Clinic, Florida International University, the Venezuelan Asset Recovery Initiative (INRAV), TOJIL, the Global Civil Society Coalition for the UNCAC, and the Vance Center, highlighted progress on this issue since 2019, when the IACHR published its report “Corrupción y derechos humanos: Estándares interamericanos” (Corruption and Human Rights: Inter-American Standards).

The event opened with introductions and words of welcome from Andrea Pochak, First Vice President of the IACHR; DPLF Executive Director Katya Salazar; and José Miguel Cruz, Director of the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University.

Ramiro Orias, Director of DPLF’s Corruption and Human Rights Program, moderated the discussion with expert speakers from across the region:

• Estefanía Medina, Co-Founder, TOJIL
• José Ugaz, Peruvian lawyer and former president of Transparency International
• David Morales, Director of Transitional Justice, Cristosal
• María Alejandra Márquez, Director of the Initiative for the Venezuelan Asset Recovery Initiative (INRAV)
• Ana Carazo, Co-Director, Center for the Administration of Justice, FIU
• Julio José Rojas Báez, Vice President of the Inter-American Juridical Committee, OAS

Participants examined the movement’s momentum over the last six years and noted the ways in which Latin American legal systems are beginning to recognize that corruption can directly violate human rights, and that victims and civil society organizations should be involved in seeking justice.

Speakers also discussed advances in asset recovery, including recent efforts to ensure the transparent return to affected communities of funds confiscated in corruption cases through mechanisms like the Venezuela Restoration Fund, proposed by INRAV in collaboration with international civil society organizations. The Fund offers a model to protect assets forfeited in U.S. corruption cases involving Venezuelan officials and redirect them to strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, support independent media, and advance anti-corruption initiatives in line with international standards.

Watch the full conversation:

Regional Strategy Meeting: “A Roadmap for Victims’ Participation and Reparation in Corruption Cases”

On November 20, Castillo participated in a regional strategy session coordinated by the same organizations. The meeting focused on outlining shared priorities for strengthening victims’ rights and enhancing civil society participation in anti-corruption efforts across the region.

Discussions centered on identifying common legal, institutional, and cultural challenges, as well as opportunities for greater coordination and collective action. Participants underscored the importance of improving implementation of existing frameworks, expanding access to justice for victims, and promoting a human rights–based approach in educational initiatives focused on anti-corruption.

During the discussion, participants observed that they believe the Stronger Together initiative is already offering a shared space for cross-organizational dialogue and coordination on these issues.

Institutional Integrity Program Advisor Cuitlahuac Castillo Camarena and other participants in the regional strategy session, November 20, 2025. Photo credit: Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF).

Looking ahead to 2026, the organizational representatives identified some shared priorities for strengthening a victim-centered anti-corruption agenda in Latin America.

These include developing new amicus curiae briefs to support national corruption cases, creating knowledge-sharing mechanisms that elevate international anti-corruption treaties as core tools alongside human rights treaties, and requesting a thematic hearing before the IACHR during a future period of sessions.

Collectively, these efforts aim to strengthen existing legal standards, enhance regional coordination, and ensure the fight against corruption consistently places victims and affected communities at its center.

In December, the Vance Center will participate in another panel on advancing the rights of victims of corruption, as part of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, in Doha, Qatar.

Read more about our recent work around the UNCAC