human rights

It could be argued that Clayton Lockett deserved to suffer for what he did, but that was not the intention of his executioners. They were trying out a new drug mixture, namely midazolam to knock the convict out; vecuronium bromide, a paralyzing agent; and potassium chloride to stop the heart. Such experimentation will now be taking place in many U.S. states that still use the death penalty.

Water in Costa Rica will be considered a public good, and general access for consumption will be a fundamental right, according to a bill passed in a first-round vote Monday night at the Legislative Assembly.

Guatemala's malnutrition rate is the highest in the region and the fourth highest globally.

Uruguay's President José Mujica said Thursday that his country had agreed to receive detainees from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, calling the decision a matter of human rights.

PETÉN, Guatemala – For much of Guatemala’s monolingual Mayan population, the ability to access medical attention is often impeded by their inability to speak Spanish. The right to adequate health care without discrimination is enshrined in their country’s constitution; however, since hospitals work only in Spanish, indigenous people often are marginalized and restricted from obtaining basic treatment due to their vernacular.

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemala’s highest court ruled last Friday that Attorney General Claudia Paz y Paz will be out of office in May, half a year before her original end of term.

The streets of Guatemala City brimmed for a few hours last Thursday morning with as many as 20,000 protesters from the countryside. The demonstration was intended to apply pressure on the nation’s highest court, which is currently considering the constitutionality of a plan to expand energy projects throughout rural regions of Guatemala.

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemalan Attorney General Claudia Paz y Paz has been praised internationally as an advocate for human rights and the rule of law. At home, though, she’s facing stiff opposition from conservative elements of Guatemalan society who are uncomfortable with her campaign for human rights.

This isn’t about socialism, communism or capitalism. This is about militarization, human rights violations, abuse of power and corruption.

Last week, ruling party presidential candidate Johnny Araya tried to claim the mantle of family values, accusing opposition candidate Luis Guillermo Solís of having a different position than that of his own Citizen Action Party. While the abortion question could prove combustible in Costa Rica, Araya is not well positioned to strike the match.