Human Rights in Latin America

For decades, Latin America has been plagued by civil wars, dictatorships, torture, legacies of colonialism, racism, and inequality. The region has also experienced dramatic—if uneven—human rights improvements, shedding light on the politics of transformation. The accounts of how Latin America’s people have dealt with the persistent threats to their fundamental rights offer lessons for people around the world.Human Rights in Latin America provides a comprehensive introduction to the human rights issues facing an area that constitutes more than half of the Western Hemisphere. This second edition brings together regional case studies and thematic chapters to explore cutting-edge issues and developments in the field. From historical accounts of abuse to successful transnational campaigns and legal battles, Human Rights in Latin America explores the dynamics underlying a vast range of human rights initiatives. In addition to surveying the roles of the United States, relatives of the disappeared, and truth commissions, Sonia Cardenas and Rebecca Root cover newer ground in addressing the colonial and ideological underpinnings of human rights abuses, emerging campaigns for gender and sexuality rights, and regional dynamics relating to the International Criminal Court.Engagingly written and fully illustrated, Human Rights in Latin America fills an important niche among human rights and Latin American textbooks. Ample supplementary resources—including discussion questions, interdisciplinary reading lists, filmographies, online resources, internship opportunities, and instructor assignments—make this an especially valuable text for use in human rights courses.

Through this book [Cardenas's] voice emerges as that of a determined but clear-eyed optimist, willing to confront the dark realities of politics and power but inclining toward what another Latin Americanist, Albert Hirschman, adopted as 'a bias for hope.' . . . In all, it is a remarkable compact synthesis on this sprawling subject., Like the experience of human rights in Latin America which it details, Cardenas' text is rich and complex. Human Rights in Latin America: A Politics of Terror and Hope is a unique and engaging approach to the study of human rights in Latin America. It is a text that demands serious attention., Sonia Cardenas emphasizes [the themes of terror and hope] in her informative and lucid text . . . . This well-researched and readable book will be useful to anyone wanting to learn more about this important topic., This is a book that can satisfy even the most demanding instructors . . . .Cardenas's analysis is always balanced, but at the same time she makes her points convincingly and forcefully., Solidly researched and gracefully written, Sonia Cardenas's Human Rights in Latin America fills a significant gap. It is a deceptively easy read, with plenty of substance but packaged in an accessible and fluent prose-a combination we see all too infrequently. It will be warmly welcomed by both students and their professors in courses on Latin American politics and inter-American relations.

Sonia Cardenas is Professor of Political Science and Vice President for Academic Affairs/Dean of the Faculty at Trinity College.Rebecca Root is Associate Professor of Political Science and International Studies at Ramapo College.