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Summer 2017
DEFENDERS
37
• Impunity and Failures to Ensure Justice
Impunity remained a common denominator in all of Africa’s major conflicts,
with those suspected of crimes under international law and gross human rights
violations rarely held to account. There were, however, some heartening and
historic moments for international justice and accountability.
Many African member states of the ICC affirmed their support for and
intention to remain within the Rome Statute’s system during the 15th Session
of the Assembly of State parties in November.
America
Despite public discourse about democracy and economic progress as well
as hopes of an end at last to its remaining armed conflict in Colombia, the
Americas remained one of the world’s most violent and unequal regions.
Discrimination, insecurity, poverty and environmental damage were rampant
throughout the region. Failure to uphold international human rights standards
was also laid bare by a wide gulf of inequality – in wealth, social wellbeing
and access to justice – which was underpinned by corruption and lack of
accountability.
• Threats to the Inter-American
Human Rights System
Despite the extent of the region’s human
rights challenges, the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
– critical to defend and promote human
rights as well as ensure access to justice
for victims who were unable to do so in
their own countries – was affected by a
financial crisis for most of the year. This
was caused by an insufficient allocation
of resources by member states of the
Organization of American States (OAS)
– a striking demonstration of states’ lack
of political will to promote and protect human rights both within and beyond
their territories.
• Refugees, Migrants and Stateless People
Central America was the source of a rapidly worsening refugee crisis.
Relentless violence in this often forgotten part of the world continued to cause
a surge in asylum applications from Central American citizens in Mexico, the
USA and other countries, reaching levels not seen since most of the region’s
armed conflicts ended decades ago. Hundreds of thousands of people travelled
through Mexico either to seek asylum there, or to continue to the USA. Many
were detained in harsh conditions, killed, abducted or faced extortion by
criminal gangs who often operated in collusion with the authorities. Large
Despite public discourse about
democracy and economic progress
as well as hopes of an end at last
to its remaining armed conflict in
Colombia, the Americas remained
one of the world’s most violent
and unequal regions