Program areas at WOLA
Human rights - Wola is a leading research and advocacy organization advancing human rights in the americas. We seek public policies that protect human rights and recognize human dignity, so justice may overcome violence. Wola tackles problems that transcend borders and require domestic and international solutions. We create strategic partnerships with courageous people making social change-advocacy organizations, academics, religious and business leaders, artists, and policy makers. Together, we advocate for more just societies in the americas. Throughout 2023, as part of our strategic planning process, Wola began a critical internal and external review of our programming to determine advocacy priorities moving forward for the next five year period.
Central America - the central America program continued its vigilance and advocacy on human rights, justice, corruption, and rule of law throughout 2023. Wola's efforts were marked by active participation in key regional events and advocacy platforms, reinforcing its role as a leading voice in Washington dc and international forums such as the oas, un, and european union. Wola engaged prominently at the central America donors forum, highlighting issues like forced displacement in nicaragua and authoritarianism across the region. The program monitored guatemala's electoral preparedness, producing a post-visit report and presenting findings to the central America caucus in congress and key u.s. government bodies. Post-election, Wola advocated against threats to civic and political rights in guatemala and coordinated efforts to address human rights abuses and the authoritarian trajectory in el salvador. In honduras, Wola monitored the appointment of a new attorney general and engaged with civil society to ensure transparency and accountability in the process. Across the region, continued to amplify concerns through publications like the central America monitor and through strategic engagements with international stakeholders, reflecting its commitment to promoting democracy and human rights in central America.
Border security, migration, mexico - in 2023, Wola's border security and migration programs have played a crucial role in addressing human rights abuses and advocating for policy reform at the u.s.-mexico border. Their comprehensive report, "abuses at the u.s.-mexico border: how to address failures and protect rights," meticulously documented violations by u.s. border law enforcement, prompting widespread media coverage and sparking policy debates. This effort included extensive engagement with department of homeland security officials and congressional committees to push for transparency and accountability reforms within u.s. border agencies. The migration program also conducted extensive field research along colombia's borders with panama and ecuador, conducting over 50 interviews to gather data on migration dynamics and colombia's conflict landscape. Wola's mexico experts continued efforts to protect human rights, advocate for continued searches for the disappeared, and combat arbitrary pre-trial detention. Wola published the report "militarized transformation and a subsequent podcast, which examined the increasing roles and powers of the military in mexico. The report was very well-received and detailed current levels of human rights violations by military forces and the national guard, offering recommendations to establish civilian oversight of the armed forces and enhance access to security and justice in mexico.
Columbia - throughout 2023, Wola's colombia program remained committed to advancing inclusive peace and human rights in colombia. Notably, Wola co-sponsored a delegation from corporacion veteranos por colombia in Washington, d.c. The delegation engaged with usip, colombian embassy officials, and congressional offices, facilitating discussions on peacebuilding and human rights. Another delegation was comprised of three women human rights defenders who received colombia's national human rights prize. They participated in an event on gendered approaches to peace and met with key u.s. officials and un missions, garnering substantial media coverage. In solidarity against racism, Wola joined international groups in condemning the mistreatment of afrodescendant vice-president marquez, amplifying the issue across global media platforms. Amid congressional decisions to defer aid to colombia, Wola carried out advocacy efforts to uphold funding for human rights and peacebuilding initiatives.
Venezuela - Wola's venezuela program in 2023 focused on addressing critical human rights issues and supporting democratic processes. The program continued to collaborate with venezuelan and international human rights groups on hosting human rights activists, coordinating advocacy meetings, supporting free and fair elections, and addressing civil society repression in venezuela. The program commentaries regarding changes to the national electoral council, emphasizing the importance of fair electoral conditions for 2024, and shared these findings with key congressional partners. In another commentary, Wola's venezuela program highlighted severe issues such as sexual violence in detention centers, documented by the un fact-finding mission, and the challenges within the opposition primary election. Engaging with international stakeholders, Wola discussed the impact of sanctions and the role of armed groups on venezuela's transition. Additionally, the program documented human rights conditions at border points between colombia and venezuela and shared findings with the public. Wola's venezuela program continues to be a leader in responding to threats against civil society, leading joint statements condemning harmful measures and engaging in advocacy efforts with international stakeholders.
Drug policy, women and incarceration - Wola supports drug policy reforms throughout the americas, and around the world that emphasize the centrality of human rights, public health, citizen security, harm reduction, and evidence-driven policy. Throughout 2023, Wola's drug policy program continued its advocacy against a prohibitionist approach to drug policy. Through consistent participation in forums and spaces of discussion on the current drug treaty regime such as the un commission on narcotic drugs in vienna or the cities summit of the americas in denver, Wola's expertise has urged governments throughout the hemisphere to collaborate with civil society to implement policy reforms that overcome the punitive approaches that have trampled human rights and failed to curb illegal drug markets. Wola also launched a new report, freeing them is justice: women, drug policy and incarceration in Latin America (launched in cooperation with partner organizations dejusticia and the international drug policy consortium (idpc). The report examines the disproportionate impact of drug laws and incarceration on women and reflects on the gains made and challenges remaining in promoting alternative policies.
Cuba - the cuba program continued its dedicated efforts throughout 2023 to amplify the voices of cuban citizens amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis and advocate for constructive u.s.-cuba engagement. Highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the cuban population, Wola facilitated several critical meetings between cuban delegations-including journalists and entrepreneurs-and relevant stakeholders, including u.s. government officials. These interactions provided firsthand insights into the severe hardships and threats confronting cuban citizens. In response to a notable increase in cuban migration via the mexico-u.s. border, which saw over 28,000 arrivals in the fall, marking the second-highest number on record-wola engaged closely with service providers and civil society organizations on the ground. Armed with firsthand observations and gathered insights, Wola developed a robust advocacy strategy aimed at urging the u.s. administration to address the root causes of migration, particularly the dire economic crisis exacerbated by restrictions on remittance transfers. The program later celebrated a significant milestone with the reopening of the u.s. Citizenship and immigration services international field Office in havana, cuba, after nearly five years of closure, reflecting a step toward improved bilateral relations and humanitarian support.
Defense oversight - Wola challenged the expanding role of the military in foreign and domestic policymaking across the region. We supported accountable civilian control of defense forces, a clear separation between police and military functions, and peaceful collaboration to reduce threats and resolve conflicts.