rightsanddemocracymovement.org

(translation form Spanish)

La Paz, Bolivia, June 7, 2010.

To whom it my concern,

 We, the undersigned individuals and institutional representatives, would like to express our deepest concern with regard to the events that have occurred at the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (Rights & Democracy), a Canadian institution that has stood out by promoting democracy and defending human rights on international levels.  In addition to causing the death of Mr. Rémy Beauregard, a well-known Canadian activist and human rights advocate, these events are detrimental to the operations of the institution and harmful to the reputation of Canada, a country that has an invaluable tradition of supporting human rights and promoting democracy throughout the world.

Bolivia is a country that is experiencing a historical process of change, one that challenges Bolivians to strengthen our democracy by defending human rights and respecting the rule of law.  In our present situation, we cannot remain oblivious to the fate of Rights & Democracy.  In today’s world, the cause of human rights is universal.  Furthermore, we are familiar with the work carried out by R&D in support of Indigenous organizations in Bolivia’s Constituent Assembly (2006-2009) and its current support for the participation of women in municipal governments.

Canada enjoys a democratic society that exemplifies multiculturalism, intercultural dialogue, and respect for human dignity.  We deeply regret the fact that the country’s profile has been affected by powerful groups that deny the autonomy of this human rights institution, eliminating this basic and necessary requirement to maintain its credibility in the fields of human rights and democratic development.

Given the seriousness of the facts — the death of Rémy Beauregard, the unjustified dismissal of several R&D employees, and the consequences that will most certainly affect the institution’s work — we request that the Canadian Parliament undertake an investigation of these deplorable events and that measures be taken to restore the conditions required for Rights and Democracy to continue working as an arm’s-length organization in order to fulfill its mandate of promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its instruments of implementation, rather than an organization based on political positions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Waldo Albarracín Sánchez

Former Defensor del Pueblo 2003-2008

Former President of la Asamblea de Derechos Humanos de Bolivia

Presetnly University Profesor

Mónica Calsich

Representative for  Fundación Luis Espinal

Former member of the direction of  la Asamblea de Derechos Humanos de Bolivia

Guido Riveros Franck

Executive Director of  la Fundación Boliviana para la Democracia Multipartidaria 2002-2010

Former  member of the Board of Directors of Rights & Democracy 2007-2009

Dr. Manuel De La Fuente Patiño

Profesor at  la Universidad Mayor de San Simón – Cochabamba