News of human rights

Dictatorship-era torturer ‘El Turco Julián’ dies in jail

26-03-2025 09:59 Former Federal Police officer Julio Héctor Simón, who tortured his victims at the ‘El Olimpo’ clandestine detention centre and commanded task forces entrusted with the abduction and disappearance of persons, dies aged 84 while serving time for three convictions of crimes against humanity.

'Nunca más’ – Massive march in Argentina, 49 years after coup

24-03-2025 20:11 Tens of thousands take to streets to remember dictatorship’s crimes and challenge President Javier Milei’s government.

Peru rights groups sound alarm on 'anti-NGO' bill

14-03-2025 13:30 Peru's Congress is on a mission to increase state oversight over NGOs, which have drawn the ire of conservatives for bringing cases against the state for alleged human rights abuses. 

Marchers tell Milei no backtracking on women’s rights

09-03-2025 14:30 Feminists of all ages march in Buenos Aires to voice criticism of Milei government’s policies on International Women’s Day; demonstrators demand an end to gender violence and discrimination.

by Zella Milfred

Affected and allied unite to rally for queer cause

04-02-2025 09:14 Tens of thousands of people flooded the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday afternoon in a joyous celebration of diversity and a defiant defence of human rights.

Demonstrators challenge Milei with march in defence of diversity

02-02-2025 08:12 President Javier Milei's "anti-woke" remarks at Davos and pushback against diversity policies condemned by protesters in Buenos Aires, dozens of sites nationwide and expats overseas.

'No way out': Grim conditions in El Salvador's mega-prison

29-01-2025 14:17 The largest prison in Latin America and emblem of the war against gangs in El Salvador celebrates two years since it was inaugurated under conditions that rights groups call inhumane. Along with Milei's support, Argentina Security Minister Patricia Bullrich considers President Nayib Bukele's approach as a model for state security.

Brazil slams US after dozens of deportees arrive handcuffed

26-01-2025 09:29 Brazil's Foreign Ministry said it would demand an explanation from Washington over the "degrading treatment of passengers" on a flight deporting dozens of immigrants from United States.

Judge orders government to protect dictatorship torture sites

15-01-2025 19:52 President Milei’s nominee for Supreme Court, Federal Judge Ariel Lijo, orders Human Rights Secretariat to safeguard sites and staff of 'Olimpo,' 'Club Atlético,' 'Automotores Orletti' and 'Virrey Cevallos' after request by City legislator Victoria Montenegro.

A good man who lived a good life

04-01-2025 06:26 Before Jimmy Carter, the US State Department would only protect its own citizens if they fell foul of a foreign dictator. But under him, thousands of lives were saved by US diplomacy.

by Robert Cox

Argentine judge orders arrest of Nicaragua's Ortega over rights violations

30-12-2024 19:57 Federal Judge Ariel Lijo orders arrest Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Vice-President Rosario Murillo and a dozen other collaborators for "systematic violation of human rights."

Abuelas announce discovery of 138th child taken by dictatorship

27-12-2024 20:50 Human rights group Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo confirms they have found the 138th missing grandchild snatched by the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

Amnesty Int’l urges Milei to respect rights after year of ‘confrontation’

19-12-2024 14:18 Data compiled by rights NGO shows more than 1,100 people were injured in protest “repression” during Milei’s first year in office

by James Grainger

'Norita' doc goes national with 50+ grassroots screenings

10-12-2024 14:25 Documentary profiling the life and activism of the late human rights activist Nora Cortiñas will screen nationally this week at over 50 grassroots events.

Argentina refuses to back UN draft resolution on indigenous rights

12-11-2024 10:45 Argentina the only country out of 169 to vote against a United Nations draft resolution on rights of indigenous peoples.

Abuelas and Madres founder Mirta Acuña de Baravalle dies at 99

04-11-2024 14:30 Mirta Acuña de Baravalle, one of the founders of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo and Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, has died at the age of 99.

Ex-cop, ex-Army officer sentenced to lengthy jail terms for 1970s crimes

01-10-2024 15:12 Néstor Ciaramella and Enrique Del Pino found guilty of kidnapping, torture, disappearances, murder, sexual abuse and other crimes committed against 185 people between 1974 and 1977, in the lead up to the military dictatorship.

UN committee ‘deeply concerned’ for children amid cutbacks

28-09-2024 07:44 The United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child expresses alarm over Milei administration cutbacks as it publishes a new report on children’s rights; Experts warn of programme closures, replacement of officials and budget reductions.

by Mattis Nurit

Argentina, six other nations ask UN to probe ‘serious rights violations’ in Venezuela

21-09-2024 07:28 United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres voiced concern to President Nicolás Maduro about alleged human rights violations in Venezuela on Friday in a telephone conversation.

Documentary brings dictatorship 'death flights' trauma to big screen

20-09-2024 16:44 Director Nicolás Gil Lavedra premieres new film 'Traslados,' an investigative documentary on a very dark chapter of the nation’s not-too-distant history: the “death flights” carried out by the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.