Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice

??Our first-ever matching campaign is live!?? We're on a mission to raise $50,000 by January 15th to continue delivering essential legal support to civil society organizations worldwide. Thanks to a generous donor, your contribution up to this amount will be matched dollar-to-dollar, doubling the impact of every donation and raising our total to $100,000! That means if you donate $100, the Vance Center receives $200. How does your donation help? Your support powers reliable and accessible pro bono legal services for civil society groups protecting and advancing human rights and access to justice, the environment, institutional integrity, and public interest reporting. ??Together, we ensure our legal resources are available to the social justice organizations and communities that need them most. ??Double your donation today: https://lnkd.in/eceCnDm5

Last week with Global Financial Integrity we co-hosted a forum and workshop that brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, and international experts to discuss opportunities and challenges in the virtual asset ecosystem, in El Salvador and beyond. ??The forum, titled “Challenges and Opportunities for the Virtual Asset Ecosystem in El Salvador,” focused on fostering dialogue and collaboration on the regulatory, operational, and legal dimensions of virtual assets. ??It was an opportunity for professionals across many key sectors to explore the opportunities, risks, and innovations within El Salvador’s growing virtual asset ecosystem while addressing critical issues such as financial crime prevention, regulatory frameworks, and institutional integrity. ????The second day featured a hands-on workshop for participants including judges and prosecutors in key roles in their institutions. The program explored illicit financial flows involving virtual assets, with a focus on regulatory, investigative, and compliance strategies. It also highlighted key aspects of the virtual asset ecosystem and examined some of the risks and tools available to address potential criminal activities. ??Special thanks to our expert speakers Alejandra Pérez Reséndiz, technical expert at GAFILAT; Abel Revoredo (revoredo.eth), expert in digital assets in Peru; Colombian criminal analyst Nidia Soto; and Gustavo Salaiz. Read more about the event and our work on virtual assets: https://lnkd.in/eEDffAYB

??PLAZO AMPLIADO?? ?? ?Convocatoria de candidaturas: Prácticas para el Acceso a la Justicia! ?? ??Las Prácticas para el Acceso a la Justicia financian a personas destacadas recién graduadas de derecho y con perfil diverso para trabajar durante un a?o en una iniciativa pro bono integrante de la Red Pro Bono de las Américas, abordando los problemas sistémicos que enfrentan las comunidades pobres y marginadas. ???La persona seleccionada trabajará durante 1 a?o en la respectiva organización pro bono de su país: Comisión Pro Bono Argentina o el Centro Mexicano Pro Bono AC. ??Las Prácticas crean una nueva vía para las carreras de Derecho dedicadas al interés público, proporcionando experiencia práctica renumerada y un programa de capacitación. ??Para más información sobre los proyectos de cada país y acceder al formulario de aplicación, visita: https://lnkd.in/e5GUr7yg

Our Institutional Integrity Program participated in two important hearings during the CIDH_IACHR's 191st Period of Sessions earlier this month. Associate Executive Director Jaime Chávez Alor and Program Advisor Cuitlahuac Castillo joined representatives of judicial associations, regional groups and international organizations to present on two priority issues: threats to judicial independence in Latin America and the recent overhaul of Mexico’s judiciary. ??Judicial Independence We originally submitted a request in August for a hearing on judicial independence in the Americas, on behalf of the Latin American Federation of Magistrates (FLAM) and the Central American Federation of Judges for Democracy (FECAJUD), and we were glad the Commission granted the request to present on this critical issue. ??During the session, eight judges from seven countries (#Argentina, #Ecuador, #Peru, #Honduras, #Guatemala, #ElSalvador and #CostaRica), including FLAM President Marcello Gallo and FECAJUD President Haroldo Vásquez, highlighted urgent challenges affecting judges’ job security, physical safety, and labor conditions, and called for the Commission to engage governments to address these issues. ??Their testimonies revealed a wide range of systemic issues undermining judicial independence and public trust in the rule of law. ???They also presented Commissioners with the updated versions of our country-level assessments of judicial independence, which we produced in collaboration with FECAJUD and FLAM. This hearing was an important opportunity to raise the issue of judicial independence and safety of judges before the Commission. We will continue working with judges across the region to advocate for better protections, rebuild public trust, and support their independence and integrity.?? ????Mexican Judicial Reform We were proud to join the Asociación Mexicana de Mujeres Juezas y Magistradas (AMMJUM), Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF), Asociación Nacional de Magistrados de Circuito y Jueces de Distrito del Poder Judicial de la Federación (JUFED), DLM, and Fundación para la Justicia (FJEDD), alongside Mexican federal judges and other legal practitioners presenting their concerns before the Commission. They raised serious concerns about the new reforms of the judicial system, including: ??Holding popular elections for judges, which could result in selecting unqualified candidates. ????????????Provisions that undermine guarantees of judicial tenure and labor rights, and their disproportionate impact on women judges and magistrates. ??Undermining the rights of victims of serious human rights violations, who rely on an independent judiciary to seek redress. ???Consolidation of political power increasing legislative and executive control over the judiciary, weakening judicial autonomy. Read more about the sessions and our ongoing work on these issues: https://lnkd.in/e735yuUJ

??Uniting Africa to End Sexual Harassment: Equal Protections in Law and Practice - Day 2 is kicking off in just a few minutes! ?? Join us for a deep and forward-looking discussion, "Towards a Regional Law on Sexual Harassment: Policy Approaches and Frameworks for Africa." ?? 9 AM EST | 5 PM EAT | 4 PM SAST | 3 PM WAT | 2 PM GMT It's not too late to register if you haven't already: https://shorturl.at/HzMQ3 We'll hear from some incredible expert speakers today: Valentina Beghini – Legal Specialist at ILO, Geneva Cheryl Ann Peters – Legal Officer, Equal Opportunity Commission, Trinidad & Tobago Heather Chidarara – Anti-Harassment Counsel, World Bank Syeda Re'em Hussain, PhD – Project Manager, Nala Feminist Collective ?? Moderator: Pamhidzai H. Bamu Don't miss the chance to be part of this conversation and move us toward a future where with safer, fairer workplaces for all. With Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative (AESHI) and Pan African Lawyers Union (Official)

Our Associate Executive Director Jaime Chávez Alor was featured on CNN en Espa?ol with Fernando Del Rincon to talk about the latest developments in the case of Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora. Jaime addressed a Guatemalan court's recent decision to send Zamora back to prison and how this concerning move, which lacks a fundamental legal basis, is part of the Guatemalan government's ongoing efforts to prevent cases like Zamora's from securing justice. The court's action directly counters a previous decision made by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which declared Zamora's detention as arbitrary and a violation of international law. The Vance Center is representing Zamora before the the Inter-American System and will continue to fight for justice at the international level. Full interview available here: https://lnkd.in/dr5fS6dP

??Our new report is live! Mapping Legal Protections Against Workplace Sexual Harassment in Africa ?? We've just published a report analyzing legislative protections related to sexual harassment in 22 jurisdictions across Africa. The current fragmented approach to defining and addressing sexual harassment varies sharply from one country to the next, and it is not doing enough to ensure the broad protections necessary to protect workers in formal and informal labor markets across Africa. With this report, we offer recommendations for institutions to take concrete steps toward establishing a regional framework and model law on sexual harassment for Africa.?? We look at laws and regulations addressing sexual harassment, including international and regional agreements that each country has signed or ratified. The analysis also covers: ??Legal requirements for institutions to implement policies on sexual harassment ??Mechanisms for reporting and investigating cases ??Arbitration or litigation ?Penalties and consequences for perpetrators. This report was produced in partnership with the Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative (AESHI), the Pan African Lawyers Union (Official), and with legal support from A&O Shearman and multiple national law firms in the relevant countries. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/e_KYqAdP

Today, November 20, is Transgender Day of Remembrance. It is a moment to honor the memories of transgender people whose lives were taken by acts of violence, and to continue to draw attention to the threats and challenges faced by trans people around the world. This includes not just physical violence, but discrimination, exclusionary policies, and laws that criminalize trans and other LGBTQ+ individuals. While there has been recent progress in some countries, in many parts of the world we continue to see pervasive efforts to pass and enforce laws that criminalize same-sex relationships and gender expression, restrict freedom of expression, and discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. These laws not only violate fundamental human rights but also perpetuate stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQ+ individuals. Despite these challenges, brave individuals and civil society organizations around the world are finding legal approaches to advocate and fight for better protections and equality for LGBTQ+ communities. We've had the opportunity to work with civil society partners on several of these important projects and will continue providing them with reliable legal support. Join our Human Rights & Access to Justice Program on December 10, Human Rights Day, to discuss the impact of these laws and policies, share insights and lessons drawn from past projects, and to hear from speakers working on other critical areas of LGBTQ+ rights. ??????????LGBTQ+ rights are human rights.?? Please join in-person or virtually for this important conversation! You can register here: https://lnkd.in/ectHRuKr

??? Thanks to White & Case LLP for recognizing us as a vital legal resource directly serving and connecting clients as part of the Firm’s #ProBono efforts in Latin America! ?? The piece highlights the immense impact that has come from collaborating on recent pro bono projects in the region, including our work with longtime Vance Center partner Colectivo Artesana, a Guatemalan civil society organization. 1?? Protecting children with incarcerated mothers in Guatemala: When Colectivo Artesana brought to us the national protocol on nutrition and freedom of sexual violence for children living in prisons, we filed a request with the CIDH_IACHR for precautionary measures to protect children in these conditions. The requested measures seek to maintain this protocol and prevent neglect, abuse, and violation of fundamental rights. 2?? Advocating for formerly imprisoned women: With members of the Vance Center’s Women in Prison Network, we were granted a thematic hearing on the right to reintegration for women deprived of liberty at the CIDH_IACHR in March 2024. This session - the first of its kind - served as an opportunity for formerly incarcerated women to speak openly about the obstacles they faced upon completion of their sentences, including social, financial, and professional discrimination, among others. ?? We look forward to continue working on critical pro bono projects with partners like White & Case LLP. Be sure to check out their report below!

? Equal Protections in Law and Practice: Unifying Africa to End Sexual Harassment We're two days away from our virtual report launch with Africa End Sexual Harassment Initiative (AESHI) and Pan African Lawyers Union (Official), and it's time to meet some of our expert speakers! We're looking forward to hearing from simone solange feoketchang kouatchou Chinwe Odigboegwu, FCIArb AMed MSCMA ACIS Ramadhan Abubakar Irene Kashindi, FCIArb and Yondela Ndema (PhD) on Day One of our special launch event, "Legal Frameworks, Practices, and Pathways to Change." ?There's still time to register! Don't miss your chance to be part of this transformative conversation on the pathway toward a more equitable and just workplace and the movement to #EndSexualHarassment across Africa. ?? Nov 21 & 22 ?? 9 AM EST | 5 PM EAT | 4 PM SAST | 2 PM GMT ?? Interpretation in English & French ?? Register now: https://shorturl.at/HzMQ3