Assessing the Impact of Mano Dura Policies on Democracy in Latin America
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Join the Americas Program for a conversation on the effects of mano dura policies on democracy in Latin America.
Latin America has witnessed some of the highest homicide rates in the world, driven in large measure by gang violence and transnational criminal groups. Throughout the Hemisphere, there have been different approaches to counter crime, most popular and corrosive of all have hardline policies—the famed mano dura approach. While sometimes successful in the short term, evidence suggests that in the long term, mano dura has had negative effects on democracy, ultimately weakening the rule of law and reducing civil liberties. Effectively assessing these policies can enable governments to develop alternative counter crime strategies, while ensuring transparency, strengthening the rule of law, and building human rights-focused law-enforcement capacity. This event will be hosted in partnership with the USAID-funded LACLEARN initiative.
*This event will be held in Spanish. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.*
This event was made possible by the generous support of the United States Agency for International Development.
Hosted By
Contact Information
- Rubi Bledsoe
- Research Associate, Americas Program
- 202.775.7326
- rbledsoe@csis.org
Mileydi Guilarte
Lucia Dammert
Wim Savenije
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