Introduction
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) released its annual report for 2024, highlighting serious government actions in Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. The report serves as a “snapshot of the human rights situation across all regional countries,” noting regressive trends in judicial independence, democratic institutions, persecution of human rights defenders, migration policies, and the use of violence by police and military forces.
Key Findings
Cuba
The CIDH report indicates no improvement in Cuba’s human rights situation. The commission calls on the Castro regime to end illegal or arbitrary detentions.
Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, the CIDH denounces arbitrary detentions to suppress any form of opposition in a context of “complete absence of an impartial justice system.”
Venezuela
A significant portion of the report is dedicated to Venezuela, denouncing the conditions surrounding the 2024 campaign and election process on July 28. The CIDH states that these circumstances “clearly alter the constitutional order.”
Under President Nicolás Maduro’s government, a planned strategy was implemented to discourage political participation from the opposition, hinder free, fair, and competitive elections, and suppress social protests.
Positive Developments: Guatemala
Guatemala has been removed from the CIDH’s Chapter IV.B, which warns of systematic threats to human rights. This change is partly due to President Bernardo Arévalo’s government, which assumed office in January 2024, allowing the CIDH to visit the country.
Although Guatemala still faces serious institutional democratic issues, the CIDH sees this as an opportunity for improvement and more productive dialogue.
Other Countries of Interest
Peru is included in Chapter V, which monitors countries to verify compliance with CIDH recommendations. Brazil, El Salvador, and Mexico are also under this category, having been previously mentioned.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH)? The CIDH is an independent body of the Organization of American States (OAS) that promotes the protection of human rights in the region.
- Which countries are highlighted in the 2024 CIDH report? The report focuses on Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, with concerns over human rights violations in the former three and progress in the latter.
- What specific issues does the CIDH report address? The report highlights regressive trends in judicial independence, democratic institutions, persecution of human rights defenders, migration policies, and the use of violence by police and military forces.
- What is the situation in Cuba regarding human rights? The CIDH report indicates no improvement, calling on the Castro regime to end illegal or arbitrary detentions.
- What are the concerns in Nicaragua? The CIDH denounces arbitrary detentions to suppress opposition in a context of an absent impartial justice system.
- How does the CIDH view Venezuela’s recent elections? The CIDH states that the circumstances surrounding Venezuela’s 2024 elections clearly altered the constitutional order, with Maduro’s government implementing a strategy to discourage political participation and suppress protests.
- Why was Guatemala removed from the CIDH’s concerns list? Guatemala was removed from Chapter IV.B due to President Bernardo Arévalo’s government allowing the CIDH to visit the country, signaling an opportunity for improved dialogue and addressing institutional democratic issues.
