Overview

Civic space continued to shrink across the Americas, threatening the progress made in recent decades in relation to human rights. Human rights defenders, particularly climate justice activists and those fighting to protect their land and the environment, and journalists were targets of harassment, criminalization, attacks and killings, thus, the region continued to be one of the most dangerous places for these activities. Most countries across the Americas lacked robust protection systems for human rights defenders. Peaceful demonstrations were met with unlawful force by security forces. Authorities persisted in violating people’s rights to life, liberty, fair trial and physical integrity, and arbitrary detentions were widespread. Gender-based violence across the region remained entrenched and authorities failed to address impunity for these crimes and protect women, girls and other groups of people at risk of discrimination and violence. Progress in recent years to expand access to safe abortion experienced a marked setback across the region, even in countries where it had been decriminalized. LGBTI people continued to experience widespread persecution, as well as obstacles to legal recognition. Indigenous Peoples continued to be disproportionately affected by human rights violations and faced discrimination. In a number of countries, Indigenous Peoples were denied the right to free, prior and informed consent, particularly in relation to large-scale projects. Devastating economic, humanitarian and political crises across the Americas led to a dramatic increase in the number of people leaving their home countries in search of safety. Authorities in several countries failed to respect and protect the rights of refugees and migrants. Countries increasingly employed military force to manage their growing numbers. Impunity for human rights violations and crimes under international law remained pervasive, with many countries continuing to evade international scrutiny. Brazil, Canada and the USA were among the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of fossil fuel extraction and fossil fuel production in the region threatened global climate goals. Governments failed to commit to rapidly and equitably phasing out the use and production of all fossil fuels and fossil fuel subsidies. But all is not lost. Despite the bleak outlook, human rights defenders and others speaking out to protect human rights across the Americas continued to fight in the face of increased adversity to ensure that structural changes are achieved with a view to creating a fairer and more equal region for all.