Organized Crime and Human Rights in the Americas

              This book was written by the Inter-American Human Rights Commission with the objective to help member States to fighting crimes, violence, oppression from criminal organizations, evil and injustice. There are 50 recommendations to policy makers to follow. Reparations is not only a matter of money, it is a matter of justice, to compensate the victims of human rights violations who have their lives destroyed for almost three decades. Some people speak how the impact of those violations were not so devastating, but those same people don't allow their rights being violated not even for one day. We can't let those people diminish the values of human rights protection and even not allow these unpunished violations used to make people afraid to fight for their rights, reparatioons and a better country. This post is a summary of the book with the title above published in February 2026 at https://www.oas.org/en/iachr/decisions/pdf/2026/res-1-26-en.pdf

                In the light of the advances and profound impact of crime in the Americas, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) warns of the urgent need to adopt a regional approach, as well as specialized treatment of policies and strategies in the areas of citizen security, administration of justice and guarantees of truth, justice, comprehensive reparation, and non-repetition for victims and their families. The IACHR issues this resolution with the aim of recommending the adoption and implementation of public policies geared toward the design and evaluation of effective security strategies that incorporate respect, protection, and guarantees for human rights. This should be achieved through the social prevention of violence, the strengthening of the administration of justice, and comprehensive reparation for victims and communities affected by this phenomenon. This resolution seeks to contribute to the strengthening of state functions in the area of security and the adoption of comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable strategies instead of fragmented, or exclusively repressive approaches to security. The IACHR reaffirms that the full and cross-cutting incorporation of a human rights approach is a prerequisite for the legitimacy, effectiveness, and sustainability of security policies, in accordance with the international obligations. Crime is one of the main causes of loss of human life in the region, as evidenced by high homicide rates. For example, although Latin America represent only 9% of the world population, they account for one-third of homicides and this rate is three times higher than the global average. While violence used as a control mechanism by criminal groups affects the population, its impact is disproportionate on individuals in situations of vulnerability. Organized crime practices not only physical violence, but also socioeconomic, which erodes the rule of law, hinders access to justice, and affects the exercise of human rights. In turn, it generates mistrust in governance and in political and judicial systems. This resolution constitutes an urgent call to action. Reaffirming that the administration of justice is an indispensable component for guaranteeing the rights of victims of human rights violations, by ensuring the clarification of the truth and effective access to justice and to comprehensive reparation. Reaffirming that Inter-American jurisprudence has held that, no activity of the State can be based on contempt for human dignity. Noting that in some countries, criminal organizations have emerged and consolidated within prisons, from where, in certain cases, they continue to be run today. This reinforces the need to incorporate the prison system as a central axis of security strategies in the fight against organized crime. Affirming that the full and comprehensive incorporation of human rights principles is not only compatible with crime prevention and reduction, but also an essential element for the legitimacy, effectiveness, and sustainability of state security policies and strategies.  In the light of the above and exercising the functions confered upon it by Article 106 of the OAS Charter, the IACHR resolves to make the following 50 recommendations to the member states:      1) Development of information ecosystems and warning systems.   3) Prevention of forced child recruitment and comprehensive protection.    11) Special protection for human rights defenders.   14) Protection of freedom of expression and journalists.   16) Principle of maximum disclosure and dissemination of information of public interest.    18) Guarantees of safety and priority attention for victims and witnesses.    19) Comprehensive protection during judicial proceedings.   32) Registration and analysis of victims with a focus on diversity and intersectionality.    33) Participation of victims in judicial proceedings and guaranteeing of their rights.     34) Access to comprehensive reparation and guarantees of non-repetition.    36) Strengthening transparency and accountability.     37) Investigation and punishment of corruption.      39) Transparency and access to information on public policies.     41) Policies to control drug use and trafficking.      45) Institutional modernization and professionalization.     47) Strengthening technical and investigative capacities.     48) Non-coercive investigation methods and prevention of torture.     49) International cooperation.     50) Strengthening of multilateral forums.