Report: Human rights in Americas needs improvement

Earlier today, Amnesty International released its yearly report on the state of human rights around the world. Though some of the study's harshest comments were against the U.S.’ “war on terror”, other countries in the Western Hemisphere were not exempt from criticism:

• Weak institutions that undermine democracies
• Continued economic inequality
• Deep “ethnic divisions” in Bolivia
• The growth of urban militia groups in Haiti, Jamaica, and Guatemala
• Colombia’s “humanitarian crisis”
• “Pattern” of killing women in Mexico and Honduras
• Overcrowded prisons in Brazil

However, the report also cited several positive human rights developments in the Americas including:

• Advancements in reproductive rights
• More acceptability of the LGBT community
• Less impunity of former leaders accused of human rights violations
• Stronger trade alliances

The Amnesty International Report 2007 section on the Americas can be read here and includes country-specific links (e.g. Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico).

Sources- Scotsman, SignOnSanDiego.com, Amnesty International Report 2007

Image- Earthtimes.org