Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice

We're #hiring! We're looking for a Staff Attorney for our Human Rights & Access to Justice Program. Through the Human Rights & Access to Justice Program, the Vance Center assists NGOs worldwide on a variety of human rights issues including gender-based violence, causes and consequences of women's incarceration, LGBTQ rights, atrocity prevention and post-conflict transition, rights of Afro-descendant communities, and refugees and asylum-seekers, among others. Program staff also conduct research and analysis into complex international and comparative law issues to assist clients with advocacy, training, legislative reform, and international and regional human rights litigation. Our clients include U.S.-based NGOs, the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, as well as local NGOs abroad in Latin America and Africa. Find out more about the role and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eSxkA3GZ

??Statement on Legislation to Regulate Nonprofits in Paraguay The Vance Center signed on to a statement by the New York City Bar Association expressing concern over the passage of a law that would jeopardize the fundamental rights of human rights organizations and individuals in Paraguay. ??The proposed legislation is ostensibly aimed at promoting transparency and accountability of non-profit organizations. In reality, the new law would limit these groups' ability to function. ??If passed, the law “would hinder non-profits in numerous ways, including discouraging international cooperation or alliances and potentially violating the rights to freedom of expression, association, and privacy, amongst others, that have been enumerated under international human rights treaties and standards,” the City Bar says. ??“The current bill carries risks that could undermine the freedom of association and expression of local and international civil society organizations,” the statement says. “The City Bar strongly urges the Paraguayan government to consider all concerns civic organizations have raised with respect to this proposed legislation.” Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/e-SD9Ha9 #nonprofits #NGOlaw #paraguay #humanrights #freedomofexpression

???Journalists and newsrooms around the world regularly face tactics aimed at limiting their ability to report, which undermines the journalism profession, civil society and democratic governance.?? This week, we launched a set of guidelines with practical strategies to help journalists and newsrooms anticipate and respond to legal threats, such as: ??Avoiding defamation and related claims ??Legal documentation ??Relocation, corporate formation, and tax exemption You can access the guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/eNheG9Zz

?Above the Law: The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Guatemala? Earlier this week we published a report with the Stanford Law School Rule of Law Impact Lab documenting serious misconduct and abuse of power by Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor’s Office under its current leadership. The analysis highlights the lack of an independent and impartial mechanism for holding the Attorney General accountable for misconduct and offers recommendations to the State of Guatemala for essential reform. ?For the first time, this report compiles and analyzes scores of official statements and actions taken by several multilateral bodies and national governments against the Public Prosecutor’s Office. This includes findings that the office obstructed corruption investigations, used criminal law as a tool to persecute justice operators, journalists, and human rights defenders, and attempted to subvert democracy. ?? These observations raise serious concerns about the possible violation of Guatemala’s international obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Read more ? https://lnkd.in/eR6i_Rax #guatemala #humanrights #anticorruption

?NEW PUBLICATION? ???Journalists and newsrooms around the world regularly face tactics aimed at limiting their ability to report, which undermines the journalism profession, civil society and democratic governance.?? That's why we developed guidelines with practical strategies to help journalists and newsrooms anticipate and respond to several kinds of legal threats, including: ??Avoiding defamation and related claims ??Legal documentation ??Relocation, corporate formation, and tax exemption Investigative journalists and independent media organizations, these guidelines are for you! You can access them here: https://lnkd.in/eNheG9Zz

?Above the Law: The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Guatemala? Today we published a new report with the Stanford Law School Rule of Law Impact Lab documenting serious misconduct and abuse of power by Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor’s Office under its current leadership. The analysis highlights the lack of an independent and impartial mechanism for holding the Attorney General accountable for misconduct and offers recommendations to the State of Guatemala for essential reform. ?For the first time, this report compiles and analyzes scores of official statements and actions taken by several multilateral bodies and national governments against the Public Prosecutor’s Office. This includes findings that the office obstructed corruption investigations, used criminal law as a tool to persecute justice operators, journalists, and human rights defenders, and attempted to subvert democracy. ?? These observations raise serious concerns about the possible violation of Guatemala’s international obligations under the American Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Read more ? https://lnkd.in/eR6i_Rax #guatemala #humanrights #anticorruption Amrit S. Adriana García García, LLM, JSD, Foreign Legal Consultant

??WEBINAR TOMORROW?? Join us tomorrow for our webinar, “Staying Secure: Strategies for Journalists to Navigate Legal Risks and Keep Reporting” ?? October 9 ?? 12:00 PM EDT / 10:00 AM CST ?? Online Event ?? English ?? Register: https://lnkd.in/eNecspSV Investigative journalism has always been a dangerous job, but rising threats to the rule of law across the globe, along with increased misinformation, have made this work more dangerous – and more critical – than ever. In the last few years, we’ve seen corrupt actors using increasingly sophisticated legal threats to try to silence journalists and limit their ability to report. These threats include lawsuits meant to intimidate, silence, or bankrupt reporters; laws or official measures to restrict independent media; and prosecution and detention based on fabricated claims. Journalists need to understand how to face these attacks and what their options are. Webinar Agenda: ?? Launch of guidelines: “Crisis-ready Journalism: Anticipating Legal Threats & Strategic Responses” ???Expert panel featuring three displaced journalists from Latin America and the Middle East, moderated by Vance Center Staff Attorney Carla Pierini Borenstein ? Interactive Q&A session This event is for: ??Journalists, publishers, media lawyers, legal practitioners, press freedom advocates, and anyone passionate about protecting journalists and access to information. ??

Don't forget to register for our webinar happening this Wednesday, October 9 @12 PM EDT! ?? #journalists #legalrisks #reporting

Join us next week for our webinar, “Staying Secure: Strategies for Journalists to Navigate Legal Risks and Keep Reporting” ?? October 9 ?? 12:00 PM EDT / 10:00 AM CST ?? Online Event ?? English ??Register: https://lnkd.in/eNecspSV Investigative journalism has always been a dangerous job, but rising threats to the rule of law across the globe, along with increased misinformation, have made this work more dangerous – and more critical – than ever. In the last few years, we’ve seen corrupt actors using increasingly sophisticated legal threats to try to silence journalists and limit their ability to report. These threats include lawsuits meant to intimidate, silence, or bankrupt reporters; laws or official measures to restrict independent media; and prosecution and detention based on fabricated claims. Journalists need to understand how to face these attacks and what their options are. ??We’ll be sharing a new set of guidelines outlining three practical strategies for investigative journalists to anticipate and respond to these legal threats. We’ll also hear from three experienced international reporters who have faced these threats and used these strategies to keep reporting safely. Webinar Agenda: ?? Launch of guidelines: “Crisis-ready Journalism: Anticipating Legal Threats & Strategic Responses” ???Expert panel featuring three displaced journalists from Latin America and the Middle East, moderated by Vance Center Staff Attorney Carla A. Pierini Borenstein ? Interactive Q&A session This event is for: ??Journalists, publishers, media lawyers, legal practitioners, press freedom advocates, and anyone passionate about protecting journalists and access to information. ?? Read more: https://lnkd.in/es6bvhjY

?????LGBTQ RIGHTS IN VENEZUELA????? Over the last few decades, many countries around the world have passed legislation and enacted policies to protect the rights of LGBTQ communities. Others have taken the opposite approach, imposing punitive laws that restrict and even criminalize LGBTQ individuals. There are still significant challenges - but also plenty of opportunities - to ensure states take steps to safeguard these rights. This year, we worked with lawyers from ArentFox Schiff to produce a guide on international standards for LGBTQ rights in Venezuela. This practical document explains the legal status of LGBTQ rights and identifies opportunities for advocacy on behalf of these rights in the country. This guide aims to empower human rights activists, offer guidance for policymakers, and generally support #LGBTQrights in Venezuela, fostering a more inclusive society where LGBTQ individuals are fully recognized and enjoy equal protection under the law. Special thanks to the incredible ArentFox Schiff team that made this report possible: Maya S. Cohen, Mario Torrico, Helenka Mietka, and Gamin K., and to Hunter T. Carter for his invaluable contributions and support. We hope you find this useful, and please share widely! #LGBTQ #probono #humanrights https://lnkd.in/eFu7aPVX