It is time to refocus regional dialogue and resource investment to address the root causes of violence, understanding that for many citizens and communities, drug trafficking is not the principal cause of insecurity. Harmful “development” policies have similarly caused increased conflict and abuses, while forced migration and criminalization of migrants and human rights activists continues to divide families. Most importantly, the region’s challenges must be addressed without violating fundamental rights and human dignity.
Concretely, the letter provides analysis and recommendations related to:
JASS Mesoamerica and our allies have organized a series of press conferences and actions around the presentation of the letter to media and government officials in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Costa Rica starting on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
Mexico: Organized by JASS Mesoamerica, Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña Tlachinollan, Movimiento Migrante Mesoamericano, Red Todos los Derechos para Todos y Todas, Centro Pro, Red Mesa de Ciudad Juárez and Consorcio Oaxaca
Mexico City, 11am (12pm EST) -- Media contact: Atziri Ávila; atziriavila@gmail.com
Guatemala: Organized by UDEFEGUA, Seguridad en Democracia (SEDEM), Equipo de estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial (ECAP), Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales (ICCPG) y Centro de Análisis Forense y Ciencias Aplicadas (CAFCA) and Guatemala Human Rights Commission
Guatemala City, 11am (12pm EST) -- Media contact: Claudia Samayoa; csamayoa@gmail.com
Honduras: JASS Mesoamerica, Center for Women’s Rights (CDM), Center for Women’s Studies-Honduras (CEM-H) and the National WHRD Network will meet with the US Embassy to officially present the letter and have invited media to attend an informal set of interviews outside the Embassy.
Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, April 30, 2013, 10am (12pm EST) -- Media contact: Neesa Medina; neesa952@gmail.com and Daysi Flores; floresday.jass@gmail.com
Costa Rica: JASS allies - La Liga Internacional de Mujeres pro Paz y Libertad and el Centro de Amigos para la Paz - will meet with the Costa Rican Minister for Foreign Affairs on May 2, 2013 at 11am local time to present the letter (the Minister will participate in the SICA meeting).