This month, we bring you news from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Argentina and Chile.
Highlights are:

• Colombia: Amnesty has condemned the attack in Bogota on a Venezuelan human rights defender and called for a full investigation.
• Brazil: Amnesty has called for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly to be respected during the COP30 climate conference in Belem this month
• Ecuador: Amnesty has expressed its concern over the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Ecuador, including excessive use of force against protesters.
• Peru: Amnesty has condemned the disproportionate use of force by the police during recent demonstrations in Lima, when one person died from a gunshot wound and dozens were injured. 
• Venezuela: Amnesty has welcomed the award of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan democracy activist and opposition leader, María Corina Machado
• Argentina: The Supreme Court of Justice has decided to intervene in a dispute between indigenous communities, environmental groups and government authorities over the exploitation of lithium and borate
• Chile: Protection will be provided to the family of disappeared Indigenous environmental human rights defender Julia Chuñil, who have repeatedly expressed concerns for their safety. 

COLOMBIA

Venezuelan human-rights defender Yendri Velásquez Rodríguez and political consultant Luis Alejandro Peche Arteaga were wounded in a targeted shooting in Bogotá on October 13, underscoring the dangers faced by exiled activists in Colombia. Amnesty International condemned the attack, urging authorities to carry out a full investigation and ensure effective access to international protection for Venezuelan nationals. Of the eight million Venezuelans who have fled their country, nearly three million are in Colombia, many living in extremely vulnerable conditions. Amnesty calls for decisive action by the Colombian government to put an end to this unacceptable situation of risk and to guarantee protection for all human rights defenders, including Venezuelans.

Illegal gold mining in Colombia’s Atrato River basin – one of the country’s largest waterways – is causing severe mercury contamination that threatens the health, water, and livelihoods of Afro-descendant and Indigenous communities. Mercury is commonly used in small-scale gold mining to separate gold from sediment, but when released into rivers it poisons fish and accumulates in human tissue. Although Colombia banned mercury use in mining in 2018, enforcement remains weak, especially in conflict zones controlled by armed groups and criminal networks. The United Nations has described the crisis as a human rights emergency and criticised the government for failing to fully implement a 2016 court ruling that recognised the river’s rights. [Read more…]

This month, we bring you news from Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. We also welcome Carolina Beresford as the new Country Coordinator for Colombia and Brazil.

Highlights are:

• Colombia: Two Urgent Actions are calling for the protection and ending of harassment of FEDEPESAN and its members, and for health authorities to control a severe health outbreak threatening the Bari people urgently.
• Brazil: Brazil has passed a landmark law to protect children online.
• Venezuela: Human Rights Watch has issued a new report outlining that dozens of political prisoners have been held incommunicado for weeks, months, and some for over a year.
• Ecuador: A new Amnesty International report reveals how a massive deployment of the Armed Forces has facilitated enforced disappearances, leaving entire families in limbo
• Argentina: Argentina has renounced its candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council.
• Chile: A UN committee has questioned how the State will guarantee indigenous peoples’ rights to land and ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation

COLOMBIA

Amnesty International has issued a new Urgent Action calling for the protection of the Federation of Artisanal, Environmentalist, and Tourist Fishers of Santander (FEDEPESAN) and its members, and to end the harassment suffered by the fisher community. Between June and August, 26 fisher families from the area of San Silvestre, Barrancabermeja, were forcibly displaced after threats to their safety. The FEDEPESAN president, Yuly Velásquez, received direct death threats to her phone. Despite ongoing legal actions, FEDEPESAN member Janeth Millán was evicted from her home and assaulted by police. The Urgent Action is now on the AIUK site.

Another new Amnesty Urgent Action calls on the Colombian health authorities to urgently control a severe health outbreak with measures that respect the Bari People’s rights to health and informed, prior consent. In the Bridikayra settlement of the Bari Indigenous People in Catatumbo, dozens are suffering from fever, pain and haemorrhages, and in August, a child died after showing these symptoms. Living far from urban centres and not being provided with health services puts them at further risk. The Urgent Action is now on the AIUK site. With both actions, please copy in the Colombian Ambassador to the UK. [Read more…]