Peter D. Bell Rule of Law
Over the last three decades, Latin America and the Caribbean have made much progress towards democracy, freedom, and legal protections for human rights. In 1982, just ten countries in the region enjoyed democratic rule. Today, all but Cuba have popularly elected governments. In addition, human rights have been written into laws and constitutions in almost every country. Yet rights, freedoms, violence, and citizen security are still among the region’s greatest challenges. This failure is largely not for lack of legal mechanisms, but rather weaknesses of rule of law and state capacity across the region.
The Inter-American Dialogue’s Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program aims to elevate policy discussions around human rights, democratic institutions, government accountability, civil society engagement, and hemispheric cooperation.
The program was established in 2015 to honor Peter D. Bell, a founding co-chair of the Dialogue’s Board of Directors, with support of the Ford Foundation. The broad scope and ambitions of the program are a fitting tribute to Peter’s expansive career as a tireless champion of human rights.
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Transition Interrupted?
A report analyzing the potential scenarios facing Venezuela at this critical time.
Hakim: “El miedo, elemento crítico para que Maduro siga en el poder”
Han pasado casi tres meses desde que el líder opositor venezolano Juan Guaidó lanzó su desafío al régimen de Nicolás Maduro, pero ni la creciente presión internacional ni las sanciones económicas han conseguido desatornillar a la cúpula chavista del poder. Peter Hakim destaca que el régimen de Maduro conoce esos límites y los pone a prueba, a la vez que aprovecha el “miedo” de la población.
Book Review: Voices of Change in Cuba from the Nonstate Sector
This is a book review by Ted A. Henken of the volume “Voices of Change in Cuba from the Nonstate Sector” by Carmelo Mesa-Lago, Roberto Veiga González, Lenier González Mederos, Sofía Vera Rojas, and Aníbal Pérez-Liñán published by University of Pittsburgh Press.