Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America

Progress on Human Rights!

by Melissa Johansen, CRLN intern, Loyola University graduate student 

 

About 97% of crimes in Guatemala have not been investigated and in the cases that are investigated very few people are held responsible for their crimes. This impunity has ruled Guatemala for most of its history permitting an increase and intensification of violence.  However, events in the past few years indicate that this tradition of impunity may be ending.

 

National Police archives from the Guatemalan civil war era (1960-1996) were discovered in 2005 and have since been analyzed for information about crimes committed during the armed conflict.  These documents open up the possibility for members of the National Police to be prosecuted for some of the 200,000 deaths and 40,000 disappearances during the civil war. 

Pentagon's New Monroe Doctrine

The cover article of the February 8 2010 issue of The Nation was on the Pentagon's new Monroe Doctrine towards Latin America.  Insightful, clear and engaging, the article can be found at http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100208/grandin

 

 

Dancing for Justice

CRLN is celebrating twenty years of responding to God's call - engaging in awareness, advocacy, accompaniment and action!  This spring, we are planning a special evening - join us for music, dance lessons, food, drink, a silent auction and a night of celebration!  Saturday April 10th, 7 - 11 pm at Cristo Rey in Pilsen (22nd Place & Wolcott). 

Jean was released!

Jean Montrevil, a Haitian immigrant who is part of the New York New Sanctuary Coalition, has spent the last 26 days in immigration detention, was released on Saturday, January 23, 2010! In the words of his wife Jani:  "Thank u for all your luv n support.  My Husband is Free @ last, Free @ last...........thank God almighty he's free @ last!." 

This is a testament to all the amazing work people have done all across the country calling for his release. But let us remember, that even though Jean has been released, Jean is still subject to deportation and detention because the laws that tear families apart are still in place.  In fact, he reports back to New York ICE offices on February 2nd. 

Let us celebreat the incredible work that we have done until now, and let us also keep in mind the 33,000+ people who are still in detention tonight and the MILLIONS of families that still face being separated.

As you know, the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti is beyond our comprehension. What can we do from so far away?   Thanks to the numerous organizations around the country you can take direct action to help the people of Haiti.

CRLN's ally, the School of the Americas Watch, will be meeting with the White House SOON! So they need your support to show President Obama that NOW is the time to close the School of the Americas. Please join with hundreds of people across the country in asking the President to sign an Executive Order closing the school. This will send a message not only to our Latin American brothers and sisters, but to everyone in the world that the United States truly supports democracy and human rights and will not stand for violations to these basic rights. Click below for more details!

In the wake of U.S. recognition of the Nov. 29 Honduran elections, at least 10 people involved in the resistance against the June 28 military coup have died under mysterious circumstances.  Many local Hondurans believe the death squads active in the 1980's have resurfaced and may be responsible for the wave of threats, kidnappings, beatings, and for these 10 deaths.

Amnesty International has sent out an appeal for people to write letters on behalf of Rafael Caceres, who was an opposition candidate for Congress in the last elections.  He has received multiple death threats and fears for his life.  Amnesty's Urgent Action Appeal follows, complete with background information on this case and contact information for the officials you will write.  Please take a few minutes to write in support of Rafael Caceres

In November, Senator Sherrod Brown re-introduced the Senate version of the Trade Responsibility, Accountability, Development, and Education (TRADE) Act, requiring a review of existing and future trade agreements to make them in line with new requirements for labor, environmental, and human rights standards.

The TRADE Act already has 132 co-sponsors in the House, including 8 from Illinois. Call our Senators today and tell them to co-sponsor this important legislation! Click below for more information.

March 19-22

Register Now!

Join CRLN and people of faith from across the country in this year's Ecumenical Advocacy Days. The theme this year is "A Place Called Home: Immigrants, Refugees, and Displaced Peoples," and is an exciting fit with the work CRLN is doing in regards to Mexico, Colombia, and the Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition! Please join us in learning more about immigration and displaced peoples and advocating for those who have no voice on Capitol Hill.

Read below for more details.