In recent years, we have seen in the region the emergence of charismatic leaders, democratically elected and with strong support from the population, who with populist narratives and authoritarian tendencies seriously threaten the full validity of the rule of law, democratic values, and human rights in the continent. Selective justice and attempts to co-opt the judiciary, closure of civic space, stigmatization and criminalization of opposing voices, use of the media and new technologies to silence critical voices, questioning of international justice systems are just some of the trends that show these "new authoritarianism", which are presented as a quick response to complex and historical problems, for which the values of representative democracy are an obstacle. In this context, the panelists will share some reflections on the regional situation, the most problematic countries, and the role being played (or not) by the OAS and especially the IACHR and the Inter-American Court, the weaknesses and opportunities that exist and above all, what we can do from civil society and academia to address this growing phenomenon.
Moderator: Claudia Martin, Co-director and Professorial Lecturer in residence, Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, American University Washington College of Law, Washington D.C.
Katya Salazar, Executive Director of Due Process of Law Foundation.
Eduardo Ferrer Macgregor, Vice-President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Mariju Bofill, Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy Santiago.
Carlos Ayala, Vice-President of the International Commission of Jurists.
Simultaneous interpretation available (English to Spanish).