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Anti-Discrimination

We work against discrimination through research, legal advocacy and social action


Gender
Discrimination

We work to promote the rights of women and the LGBTI population. Our work has addressed the rights of same-sex couples, sexual and reproductive rights of women, and has focusedĀ on the political participation and push states to guarantee the rights of women and individuals of diverse sexual orientations who have been victims of armed conflict.

We also promote the debate on the national health care system in Colombia and push for a gender focus in drug and prison policies.


Racial &
Ethnic Discrimination

We advocate for equality for indigenous communities and Afro-descendants and for their increased representation and participation. We participate in the design, support and strengthening of mechanisms of participation and prior consultation related to natural resources and extractive industries. We also follow up on court judgments that affect these populations and push for affirmative action especially in labor and education.

While our work is rooted in Colombia-based work, we have pursed research, litigation and advocacy throughout Latin America and in other regions of the Global South, and we have developed networks and forums for experience sharing with indigenous and ethnically differentiated communities across the Global South.

Research & Publications

Gender discrimination in Football. Building a Toolbox Toward Gender Equity in the Beautiful Game

As the most popular sport worldwide, football (or soccer) may be the poster child for lingering gender disparities in sport.

The Sarayaku and the Inter-American System on Human Rights: Justice for the ā€œMedio Diaā€ People and their Living Jungle

Mario Melo Cevallos, lawyer of the Kichwa people of Sarayaku, presents his version of the history of resistance and mobilization of the indigenous people before the State plans to exploit the oil that was in the heart of the Amazon.

What should not be told: Tensions between the right to privacy and the access to information in cases of the voluntary termination of pregnancy

This document attempts to illustrate and analyze some of the tensions that exist between the right to privacy and other relevant constitutional rights and duties, such as the right to information and the duty to report in the context of the partial decriminalization of abortion in Colombia.

Litigation

Dejusticia intervenes in defense of Venezuelan migrantsā€™ right to health

The Constitutional Court invited Dejusticia to present their legal opinion on two cases concerning the right to health of people coming from Venezuela.

Gender focus in rural reform is important but insufficient

The Gender-in-Peace Working Group -GPAZ, a group of which Dejusticia is a member, took part in the Public Hearing convened by the Constitutional Court, within the framework of the informal constitutional review of Decree 902 of 2017 "to facilitate the implementation of the Comprehensive Rural Reform contemplated in the Final Land Agreement, specifically the procedure for access and formalization and the Land Fund."

The national government geographically isolated ChocĆ³

We intervened to support a tutela that requires the government to pave the QuibdĆ³-MedellĆ­n and QuibdĆ³-Pereira roads: a promise that has historically been unfulfilled.

Other Activities &
Advocacy

Dejusticia intervenes in defense of Venezuelan migrantsā€™ right to health

The Constitutional Court invited Dejusticia to present their legal opinion on two cases concerning the right to health of people coming from Venezuela.

The Yukpas: The Indigenous community who migrated to Colombia in search of rice

One of Colombiaā€™s greatest challenges as it relates to Venezuelaā€™s migration crisis is the ethnic group who came from the neighboring country, having fled the crisis and asking to be recognized as binational citizens. They are some 300 people who decry the death of two of their children, the disappearances of some of their members, and the consistent threats they face.

Guatemala: Dejusticia intervenes in a process that seeks to protect the right to prior consultation of the Xinka people

During 2012 and 2013, the Ministry of Energy and Mines granted licenses for the exploitation of the Escobal mining company without consulting indigenous people. Eight international organizations presented an amicus to support the communities.

Columns &
Blogs

Colombia: going back to the original balance of justice

There is a crucial aspect of Colombiaā€™s transitional justice model that is worrying: the current inability of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) to offer legal security to those who participated in the conflict, including in human rights violations, and have not been identified as among the most responsible. And making sure they also contribute to the satisfaction of the rights of the victims. The JEP must avoid keep moving towards maximalist approaches and go back to the balance in the Peace Agreement.

The immigration policy of the United States and its implications in Latin America

The United States has implemented different measures to prevent the entry of migrants and refugees into its territory, including extending its immigration policy to Latin American countries.

The binationality of the Wayuu people: the pending debt of Venezuela and Colombia

The Wayuu arrive in Colombia to seek refuge but crashes with a wall that prevents them from accessing social services and fundamental rights: the Colombian State has not recognized the binationality of the Wayuu people in practice.

Project Highlights

Photo: Piyushgiri Revagar

Launched in September 2014 by Dejusticia and the Observatory on Racial Discrimination, the Prior Consultation Information Center is a platform for different actors interested in advocating the right to consultation to share experiences, get information, and explore ideas for the implementation of the right to free and informed consultation, as well as other rights of ethnic groups.

www.consultaprevia.org

The Observatory of Racial Discrimination (ODR) is a space for research about and action against the practices of racial discrimination in Colombia and Latin America. Its education program is theĀ Incubator for Afro-Colombian Lawyers for Human Rights and Against Discrimination. Through this program, ODR facilitates access to courses, workshops, mastersā€™ programs for its participants. At the same time, it is a space to strengthen alliances and collaborations amongst young defenders of racial justice in Colombia.

The Incubator team created the blog Letra Prieta, a space for analysis and critique about diverse manifestations of racism and ways to combat it.

www.odracial.org

First Global Workshop on Human Rights Strategies for Indigenous Leaders of the Global South

The first Workshop for Indigenous Leaders of the Global South has three principal objectives. First, it seeks to strengthen alliances and coordination between activists and indigenous organizations of the Global South. Second, it aims to strengthen the capacity of analysis, advocacy and mobilization of the participants through collective learning and reflection sessions about these topics. Finally, the Workshop seeks to build a global strategy for the defense and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples.

Application materials should be sent to the Center for Information on Prior Consultation at [email protected] by June 10, 2017.

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Dejusticia Submits Comments to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding Advisory Opinion Request on LGTBI Rights

Dejusticia filed a brief before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding Costa Rica's request for an Advisory Opinion from the Court. This request for an Advisory Opinion seeks clarification about the patrimonial rights of same sex couples and the rights of persons who wish to change their legal name according to their gender identity.

Read more about the submission here.

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Photo: Diego Cambiaso

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