• Human Rights in Bolivia

    Bolivian courts have made some progress in prosecuting human rights abuses, even convicting seven high-ranking military officers and politicians for deaths in the 2003 street protests. However, lack of accountability remains a problem. The fate of scores who "disappeared" before democracy was re-established in 1982 remain a mystery, and trials for those who allegedly killed demonstrators in recent years have seen long delays. Military courts still insist on trying military personnel accused of abuses.

    Bolivia enjoys vibrant public debate, with a variety of critical and pro-government media outlets. However, in what remains a politically polarized atmosphere, President Morales sometimes aggressively criticizes the press. 

  • Bolivia: Investigate Crackdown on Protesters
    Sep 29, 2011
    Bolivian authorities should ensure a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of alleged abuses on September 25, 2011, by police against indigenous protesters outside of Yucumo, in Beni Department.
  • Bolivia: Amend Laws for Trials of Ex-Leaders
    May 4, 2010
    Bolivia should modify its legal framework for prosecuting and putting on trial former heads of state to ensure that it protects basic due process guarantees.
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Bolivia

  • Bolivia: Investigate Crackdown on Protesters
    Sep 29, 2011
    Bolivian authorities should ensure a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of alleged abuses on September 25, 2011, by police against indigenous protesters outside of Yucumo, in Beni Department.
  • Bolivia: Amend Laws for Trials of Ex-Leaders
    May 4, 2010
    Bolivia should modify its legal framework for prosecuting and putting on trial former heads of state to ensure that it protects basic due process guarantees.
  • Bolivia: Unequivocally Condemn Mob Violence
    Mar 12, 2009

    The Bolivian government should unambiguously repudiate the mob attack on the family of former Vice President Víctor Hugo Cárdenas and refrain from any statements that could be interpreted as condoning such violence, Human Rights Watch said today.

  • Bolivia: Investigate Killings in Pando
    Sep 16, 2008
    Bolivia should conduct a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of the killing of at least 15 civilians in a confrontation in Pando department, Human Rights Watch said today.
  • U.S.: Ecuador’s Labor Abuses Violate Trade Act
    Sep 19, 2005
    The United States should suspend Ecuador's trade benefits due to the country's failure to comply with the labor rights requirements of the Andean Trade Preferences Act.
  • Bolivia: Ruling Holds Military Accountable for Rights Abuses
    May 6, 2004
    Bolivian military personnel implicated in human rights violations must be tried in civilian rather than military courts, Human Rights Watch said today after the Constitutional Court upheld civilian court jurisdiction in a case involving alleged killings by army troops.
  • Bolivia: Letter to President Carlos Mesa Gisbert
    Dec 21, 2003
    Dear President Mesa: I write respectfully to draw your attention to serious obstacles to the ongoing investigation of the killings of more than fifty Bolivians in protests that took place in September and October of this year. Human Rights Watch is deeply concerned that if these problems are not resolved in an expeditious way the investigation will end unsuccessfully.
  • Bolivia: Strengthen Investigation into Protest Deaths
    Dec 21, 2003
    The Bolivian military’s lack of cooperation threatens an investigation into the armed forces’ shooting of scores of civilians during anti-government protests in September and October, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Bolivian President Carlos Mesa.
  • Bolivia: Exercise Restraint in Response to Protests
    Oct 14, 2003
    Bolivian President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada must bar troops from using lethal force against protesters unless its use is absolutely necessary to protect life, Human Rights Watch said today.
  • Bolivia: Investigate Killings During Clashes
    Feb 13, 2003
    Following the violent clashes between protesters and security forces, Human Rights Watch said today that the incident must be thoroughly investigated, and that the Bolivian government must ensure that restraints on the use of lethal force were followed.