South America

Argentina | Chile | Bolivia | Peru | Ecuador | Colombia | Venezuela | Guyana | Suriname| French Guyana | Brazil | Paraguay | Uruguay

Many governments across South America fail to comply with their commitments to uphold fundamental human rights. Widespread torture, unlawful killings by police and arbitrary detention persist. The "war on terror" undermines human rights in the name of security.

Political armed groups and criminal gangs, principally those engaged in drug trafficking, have an increasing impact on people's fundamental rights. Poverty and discrimination affect millions of people, particularly women, children, indigenous people and Afro-descendant communities. Human rights defenders continue to hold both governments and armed groups to account, in defiance of harassment and persecution.

Read more about the countries in this region in our 2011 Annual Report