The risks of defending human rights: the rising tide of attacks against human rights activists in Latin America

The rising tide of attacks against human rights activists:

Oxfam is deeply concerned about the worsening levels of violence, murder and repression against the men and women defending human rights in Latin America. This situation is linked to an economic model that fosters extreme inequality and has a negative impact on people’s basic rights.  It is the result of harassment entrenched in a patriarchal culture, and governments' failure to fulfil their human rights obligations – and the influence of powerful groups on governments that limits their role as guarantors of human rights for their citizens.