Comité de América Latina y el Caribe
para la Defensa de los Derechos de la Mujer
(Latin American Women's Advocacy Committee)
International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development
To whom it may concern:
We are writing to express our concern regarding the difficult situation that the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development is experiencing. We have received information from renowned civil-society organizations in different parts of the world indicating that there are serious risks that threaten the autonomy and independence of an organization for which we hold respect, given its unquestionable record in the defence of human rights.
As members of CLADEM, we have been in contact with the Centre since the 1990s. Rights & Democracy, as the Centre is now known, played a significant role in Latin America and the Caribbean not only as a donor but also as an active participant in the promotion of human rights, especially women's rights. The centre worked within a framework of respect for the diversity and plurality of ideas, a concept that is essential to strengthening democracy and, as was the specific case with our organization, to establishing relations in which cooperation and international solidarity can thrive.
The Centre's support for women's organizations through direct contacts and in multilateral spaces made it possible to organize exchanges with organizations in Canada and to promote dialogue among the special rapporteurs on violence against women working in the universal and regional human rights systems. The support provided by the Centre for the OAS coalition of Human Rights Defenders in the Americas was of particular importance.
The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development was an open window through which people could view Canada's support for human rights throughout the world. The Centre's autonomy and ideological breadth were pillars that strengthened its action and enabled it to speak out with authority in support of civil society in different countries of our region. These pillars are essential both for building democracy and for preserving the credibility and serious reputation acquired over the course of the many years in which the Centre's work has contributed to our region. For all the reasons above, we hope that the Centre will maintain its outstanding engagement and commitment to human rights in the Americas.
Sincerely,
Norma Enríquez Riascos
Regional Coordinator, CLADEM
Susana Chiarotti Boero
Coordinator, Monitoring Program, CLADEM
Roxana Vásquez Sotelo
Coordinator, Training Program, CLADEM
COORDINACION REGIONAL: Cra. 35 # 53 A 86. Barrio Nicolás de Federmán. Bogotá, COLOMBIA
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OFICINA REGIONAL: Apartado postal 11-0470, Lima 11 - Perú. Telefax: (51- 1) 4635898. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
website: www.cladem.org
