Human Rights in Latin America: A Politics of Transformation (Pennsylvania Studies in Human Rights)

This second edition of __Human Rights in Latin America__ explores the dynamics underlying a vast range of human rights initiatives. Ample supplementary resources—including discussion questions, interdisciplinary reading lists, filmographies, and online resources—make this an especially valuable text for use in the classroom. For decades, Latin America has been plagued by civil wars, dictatorships, torture, legacies of colonialism, racism, and inequality. The region has also experienced dramatic—if uneven—human rights improvements, shedding light on the politics of transformation. The accounts of how Latin America’s people have dealt with the persistent threats to their fundamental rights offer lessons for people around the world. __Human Rights in Latin America__ provides a comprehensive introduction to the human rights issues facing an area that constitutes more than half of the Western Hemisphere. This second edition brings together regional case studies and thematic chapters to explore cutting-edge issues and developments in the field. From historical accounts of abuse to successful transnational campaigns and legal battles, __Human Rights in Latin America__ explores the dynamics underlying a vast range of human rights initiatives. In addition to surveying the roles of the United States, relatives of the disappeared, and truth commissions, Sonia Cardenas and Rebecca Root cover newer ground in addressing the colonial and ideological underpinnings of human rights abuses, emerging campaigns for gender and sexuality rights, and regional dynamics relating to the International Criminal Court. Engagingly written and fully illustrated, __Human Rights in Latin America__ fills an important niche among human rights and Latin American textbooks. Ample supplementary resources—including discussion questions, interdisciplinary reading lists, filmographies, online resources, internship opportunities, and instructor assignments—make this an especially valuable text for use in human rights courses.

For decades, Latin America has been plagued by civil wars, dictatorships, torture, legacies of colonialism, racism, and inequality. The region has also experienced dramatic—if uneven—human rights improvements, shedding light on the politics of transformation. The accounts of how Latin America’s people have dealt with the persistent threats to their fundamental rights offer lessons for people around the world.

Human Rights in Latin America provides a comprehensive introduction to the human rights issues facing an area that constitutes more than half of the Western Hemisphere. This second edition brings together regional case studies and thematic chapters to explore cutting-edge issues and developments in the field. From historical accounts of abuse to successful transnational campaigns and legal battles, Human Rights in Latin America explores the dynamics underlying a vast range of human rights initiatives. In addition to surveying the roles of the United States, relatives of the disappeared, and truth commissions, Sonia Cardenas and Rebecca Root cover newer ground in addressing the colonial and ideological underpinnings of human rights abuses, emerging campaigns for gender and sexuality rights, and regional dynamics relating to the International Criminal Court.

Engagingly written and fully illustrated, Human Rights in Latin America fills an important niche among human rights and Latin American textbooks. Ample supplementary resources—including discussion questions, interdisciplinary reading lists, filmographies, online resources, internship opportunities, and instructor assignments—make this an especially valuable text for use in human rights courses.

Contents Preface Introduction: A Politics of Transformation PART I. LEGACIES OF ABUSE Chapter 1: Why Human Rights Abuses Occur Chapter 2: Grappling with the Past PART II. HUMAN RIGHTS CASES Chapter 3: The Southern Cone Chapter 4: Central America and Mexico Chapter 5: The Andean Region Chapter 6: Brazil and the Caribbean PART III. POLITICS, RIGHTS, AND INEQUALITY Chapter 7: Social Movements, Identity, and Human Rights Chapter 8: Economic and Social Rights PART IV. AGENTS OF REFORM Chapter 9: Human Rights Defenders Chapter 10: Regional and Global Governance Chapter 11: Human Rights Change Conclusion: ¡Sí Se Puede! Appendix 1: Internship Opportunities Appendix 2: Suggested Assignments for Instructors Notes Index