Reports

Latin America is experiencing an ongoing human rights crisis shaped by deep-rooted social inequalities, widespread violence, and political instability. These challenges have left populations particularly exposed, from women and indigenous communities to migrants fleeing poverty and violence. The crisis also threatens the democratic structures of the region, as state institutions often fail to protect fundamental rights or actively participate in their violation. From gender-based violence to the excessive use of state force, the human rights landscape in Latin America reflects systemic issues that demand urgent attention and collective action.

Women’s Rights

Latin America is one of the regions with alarming gender-violence rates in the world, along with institutional neglect, and deeply rooted cultural misogyny, femicide rates are alarming. According to the last report of the Observatory for Gender Equality in Latin America affirms that, in the region, 11 women are killed each day due to gender-based violence; statistics in 2023 corroborate that the countries with the most staggering rates in femicides are Brazil with 1463 cases per 100,000 women, and Mexico with 852 cases per 100,000 women. Both Mexico and Brazil have implemented public policies and legal frameworks addressing gender-based problematics within their borders. Yet, impunity remains a significant obstacle, often allowing perpetrators to evade justice and punishment. In both countries, the notion endures that gender-based violence frequently remains unpunished. 

Another issue resulting from gender-raised violence in Latin America is the women’s right to self-determinations over their own bodies, particularly through the access to free, legal and safe abortion. Countries like Argentina, Mexico and Colombia have brought this topic to the forefront across the region, achieving significant legal reforms that promote women’s autonomy without being criminalized or punished. These reforms also ensure access to safe and legal abortion services. However, in countries like El Salvador, abortion remains criminalized under all circumstances, including pregnancies resulting from rape or those posing high risk to the pregnant woman’s health. 

Given the situation of women’s rights in Latin America, the region has also been marked by Latin American women’s relentless fight to claim their rights while demanding justice and safety for themselves and all women in their countries. This ongoing struggles has led to the emergence of social movements and massive protests in symbolic locations, driving the creation of public policies and legal reforms aimed at protecting women’s rights. 

Migration and Humanitarian Crisis

Latin America is currently experiencing one of the most severe migration crises in its history, driven by a combination of economic instability, political chaos, violence, etc. Millions of people across the region are being forced to flee their home countries in search of safety, stability and meter opportunities, facing dangerous challenges along the way. For example, the crisis in Venezuela stands as one of the largest displacement crises in the world, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees claims that over 7.7 million of Venezuelan have migrated to other countries and around 6.5 million of them are currently living in a Latin American or Caribbean country, over 1 million are asking for asylum situation due to the Nicolas Maduro’s regime. In countries of Center America like El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, violence and poverty are fueling migration, most of them looking for a life in the United States, but the journey through Mexico represents so much danger for this people due to human trafficking, abuse and exploitation by smugglers in the borders’ areas controlled by criminal organizations. This problematic is being un effectively addressed because the border cities are overwhelmed by an influx of migrants leading to the militarization of cities like Tijuana in the north and Tapachula in the south generating an increase in human rights violations, including forced deportations and violence against migrants. 

Haiti represents another significant, yet often overlooked humanitarian crisis. Migration related, political instability, natural disasters, and chronic poverty have driven thousands of Haitians to migrate, often to countries like Chile, Brazil, Mexico and United States. Their journey is also dangerous specially crossings like the Darien Gap, a jungle path between Colombia and Panama; if the migrants are able to cross the gap, upon reaching their destinations, Haitians frequently encounter racism, discrimination, and limited opportunities for integration. To prevent more displacements, the International Migration Organization is working within Haitian borders providing humanitarian aid while looking for cooperation between the government and them. 

Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples in Latin America have historically faced systemic discrimination, marginalization and exploitation, often struggling to protect their territories, cultures and basic human rights. Today, these communities face a multifaceted crisis, driven by economic exploitation, environmental destruction, and political neglect. In Brazil, deforestation in the Amazon has reached unprecedented levels, with indigenous territories being invaded by the government that are prioritizing economic growth over environmental protection and indigenous peoples right to their lands and cultural practices. As reported by Amazon Watch, political differences between Amazon indigenous peoples and political leaders can lead to a more severe exploitation of natural resources of the Amazon and a raise of violence against indigenous communities of the region. Similar case is happening in Peru, where conflicts over mining projects have escalated into violent clashes in which indigenous communities are demanding their right to be consulted before these projects start despite international agreements like ILO Convention 169.

Indigenous peoples in Latin America also face significant barriers to accessing basic services such as education or healthcare. Guatemala and Bolivia’s indigenous communities suffer from one of the highest rates of poverty and malnutrition. Healthcare facilities are often inaccessible, and cultural and linguistic barriers further limit their effectiveness. Education systems frequently fail to include indigenous languages and cultural perspectives perpetuating the cycles of exclusion. For instance, in Mexico, almost 7 million people speaks one of the 68 indigenous languages recognized by the government as Mexican official languages. The recognition of indigenous languages is an important step; however, it must be complemented by the inclusion of native speakers within education, healthcare, and government services systems.

Freedom of Expression 

Journalism in Latin America has become of the most dangerous professions. According to Reporters Without Borders, the region is hostile and complex for journalists. The investigation of sensitive topics, such as corruption, drug trafficking, and human rights abuses, is risking journalists in countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Honduras. Governments are also employing legal and bureaucratic measures to silent dissent; for instance, in 2022, Nicaragua dismantled independent media and forced many journalists to leave the country, or Venezuela where censorship and shutdowns happen to restrict the press. Laws criminalizing defamation or fake news are increasingly used to target critical voices. In countries like El Salvador and Guatemala, vague legal provisions are exploited to prosecute journalists and activists, creating a chilling effect on free expression. These measures not only suppress dissent but also erode public trust in democratic institutions. 

Meanwhile, activists defending environmental or indigenous rights often face criminalization and violent repression, with cases like the murder of Berta Cáceres in Honduras underscoring the dangers they endure. International NGOs operating in the region have also faced restrictions, with governments imposing ONEROUS registration requirements, freezing assets, or accusing them of undermining national sovereignty. These tactics aim to weaken civil society’s ability to hold governments accountable and defend vulnerable communities. To safeguard democracy and human rights, regional cooperation, stronger legal protections, and international advocacy are crucial to protecting those who risk their lives to uphold free expression and accountability.

The human rights crisis in Latin America reflects systemic issues that require urgent and comprehensive solutions. While progress has been made in areas such as women’s rights and the recognition of indigenous languages, challenges like impunity, corruption and inequality continue to undermine those efforts. Addressing these issues demands stronger institutions, regional cooperation, and the inclusion of marginalized voices in decision-making processes. Amid these challenges, the resilience of grassroots movements and human right defenders offers hope for a more just and equitable future. Sustained commitment from governments, international organizations, and civil society is essential to transform human rights from a principle into a lived reality for all. 

Sources

Attacks on Indigenous rights in Brazil by agribusiness and mining are fueling Amazon fires and climate change

The total decriminalization of abortion in Mexico City divides opinions within feminism

Colombian Constitutional Court. (2022). Judgment C-055/22

Access to abortion services (IVE/ILE)

Femicides in 2023: Global estimates of intimate partner and family-related femicides

Gender Equality Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean. Femicide

At least 11 women are victims of femicide every day in Latin America and the Caribbean

International Labour Organization (ILO). Complaint Procedure ID 2507473

UNHCR. Situation in Venezuela

Over 700,000 displaced in Haiti, half are children, as humanitarian crisis worsens

Mexican military shoots migrants in Chiapas, causing six deaths and several injuries

Haiti: Migration and violence toward U.S. shores

Crossing the Darién Gap: Migrants risk death on their journey to the U.S

The worst year for independent media in Nicaragua

A culture of silence threatens press freedom under Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele

Written by Jaqueline Perez Gamboa for Yonsei GSIS Human Rights Hub