In a riveting regional hearing held on 3 March 2025 in Washington, significant cases of corruption from Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil were put centre stage. Luciana Torchiaro from Transparency International highlighted that despite the existence of national and international laws against corruption, the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index revealed persistent and severe setbacks in various nations. The failure of anti-corruption measures threatens democracy and human rights, infringing on the state’s duty to protect its citizens.
Jimena Reyes, head of the Americas for FIDH, stressed the need to connect corruption with human rights violations, spotlighting those affected and advocating for a cohesive approach between human rights and anti-corruption efforts. She emphasised the importance of documenting and addressing the causal relationships between corruption and its impact on individuals’ lives, creating a more profound recognition of the human cost involved.
Judicial corruption emerged as a significant threat to democracy during the hearing. Lissette González of PROVEA reported alarming instances of judicial corruption in Venezuela, where victims of election repression faced extortion from officials for their freedom. Similarly, in Guatemala, Héctor Reyes of CALDH spoke about deteriorating access to justice due to governmental obstruction of corruption investigations, leading to the persecution of courageous individuals seeking accountability.
The discussion also revealed how corporate corruption entangles the state, with the notorious Odebrecht scandal serving as a prime example. Guilherme France from Transparência Internacional Brasil articulated that Odebrecht severely undermined democracy by illegally financing political activities, inflicting social and environmental damage, while Brazilian authorities neglected their obligations to prosecute. The repercussions of Odebrecht’s misconduct stretched across borders, impacting nations like the Dominican Republic, where bribes worth $39 million led to health crises due to environmental degradation caused by the Punta Catalina Power Plant.
In Colombia, the Ruta del Sol II case mirrored these challenges, where a corrupt consortium left communities bereft of reparations despite significant violations of their collective rights. Andrés Hernández from Transparencia por Colombia asserted the state’s responsibility to acknowledge and repair the damage wrought by corruption, particularly for marginalised groups who deserve recognition and reparation.
Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic unveiled how corruption jeopardised public health in Guatemala when mismanaged vaccine procurement contracts could have saved countless lives. Samari Gómez recounted the dire consequences of opaque contracts and resource mishandling. Alongside these issues, Magalis Leison of CNDH-RD described severe corruption in property sales, leaving residents vulnerable to exploitation.
The hearing concluded with urgent calls to highlight corruption’s detrimental impact on living conditions and the environment. Rosa María Mateus of CAJAR in Colombia urged the need for systemic reform to combat corporate tactics that undermine human rights. Civil society organisations collectively proposed that the IACHR establish a specific corruption and human rights unit to enhance victim recognition and drive change.
The 3 March 2025 hearing in Washington uncovered the intertwining of corruption and human rights across Latin America, highlighting specific cases in Venezuela, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. Experts emphasised the failure of existing anti-corruption measures to protect democracy and human rights. They called for deeper recognition of corruption victims, greater accountability, and systemic reform, alongside the establishment of dedicated units within IACHR to address these issues.
The regional hearing revealed the deep-seated connections between corruption and human rights violations across Latin America. Despite existing frameworks, corruption continues to impede justice, destroy lives, and degrade democratic principles. The testimonies accentuated the urgent need for systemic change, highlighting that effective measures must be taken to address corruption, ensure accountability, and uphold human rights for affected communities. The IACHR’s responsibility to promote awareness and action on this pressing matter is paramount.
Original Source: www.fidh.org
