Anti-Discrimination
We work against discrimination through research, legal advocacy and social action
Gender
Discrimination
We work to promote the rights of women and the LGBTI population. Our work has addressed the rights of same-sex couples, sexual and reproductive rights of women, and has focused on the political participation and push states to guarantee the rights of women and individuals of diverse sexual orientations who have been victims of armed conflict.
We also promote the debate on the national health care system in Colombia and push for a gender focus in drug and prison policies.
Racial &
Ethnic Discrimination
We advocate for equality for indigenous communities and Afro-descendants and for their increased representation and participation. We participate in the design, support and strengthening of mechanisms of participation and prior consultation related to natural resources and extractive industries. We also follow up on court judgments that affect these populations and push for affirmative action especially in labor and education.
While our work is rooted in Colombia-based work, we have pursed research, litigation and advocacy throughout Latin America and in other regions of the Global South, and we have developed networks and forums for experience sharing with indigenous and ethnically differentiated communities across the Global South.
Research & Publications
Gender discrimination in Football. Building a Toolbox Toward Gender Equity in the Beautiful Game
By Dejusticia | May 24, 2021
The Sarayaku and the Inter-American System on Human Rights: Justice for the “Medio Dia” People and their Living Jungle
By Mario Melo Cevallos | Nov 27, 2019
What should not be told: Tensions between the right to privacy and the access to information in cases of the voluntary termination of pregnancy
By Nina Chaparro González, Diana Esther Guzmán Rodríguez, Silvia Rojas Castro | Sep 10, 2018
Litigation
Dejusticia intervenes in defense of Venezuelan migrants’ right to health
By Lucía Ramírez Bolívar, Mauricio Albarracín, Rodrigo Uprimny Yepes, César Rodríguez-Garavito (Retired in 2019), Valentina Rozo, Silvia Ruiz | Oct 18, 2018
Gender focus in rural reform is important but insufficient
By Ana Jimena Bautista | Aug 25, 2017
The national government geographically isolated Chocó
By Nelson Camilo Sánchez León | Aug 11, 2017
Other Activities &
Advocacy
Silvia Rivera Cusicanqui and Multispecies Justice in the Andes
By Paulo Ilich Bacca | Jan 19, 2026
Being a migrant in times of surveillance
By Lina Arroyave Velásquez | Jun 14, 2025
Kankuama women, living fabric, and ancestral justice
By Diana Quigua, Mariana Camacho Muñoz | Jul 24, 2023
Columns &Blogs
I don’t care if they call me a dictator.
By Nina Chaparro González | Aug 15, 2025
NGOs at risk of global extinction
By Nina Chaparro González | Jul 3, 2025
Colombia: going back to the original balance of justice
By Paola Molano Ayala | Nov 26, 2024
Project Highlights
Photo: Piyushgiri Revagar
Launched in September 2014 by Dejusticia and the Observatory on Racial Discrimination, the Prior Consultation Information Center is a platform for different actors interested in advocating the right to consultation to share experiences, get information, and explore ideas for the implementation of the right to free and informed consultation, as well as other rights of ethnic groups.
The Observatory of Racial Discrimination (ODR) is a space for research about and action against the practices of racial discrimination in Colombia and Latin America. Its education program is the Incubator for Afro-Colombian Lawyers for Human Rights and Against Discrimination. Through this program, ODR facilitates access to courses, workshops, masters’ programs for its participants. At the same time, it is a space to strengthen alliances and collaborations amongst young defenders of racial justice in Colombia.
The Incubator team created the blog Letra Prieta, a space for analysis and critique about diverse manifestations of racism and ways to combat it.
First Global Workshop on Human Rights Strategies for Indigenous Leaders of the Global South
The first Workshop for Indigenous Leaders of the Global South has three principal objectives. First, it seeks to strengthen alliances and coordination between activists and indigenous organizations of the Global South. Second, it aims to strengthen the capacity of analysis, advocacy and mobilization of the participants through collective learning and reflection sessions about these topics. Finally, the Workshop seeks to build a global strategy for the defense and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples.
Application materials should be sent to the Center for Information on Prior Consultation at consultaprevia@dejusticia.org by June 10, 2017.
Dejusticia Submits Comments to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding Advisory Opinion Request on LGTBI Rights
Dejusticia filed a brief before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding Costa Rica's request for an Advisory Opinion from the Court. This request for an Advisory Opinion seeks clarification about the patrimonial rights of same sex couples and the rights of persons who wish to change their legal name according to their gender identity.
Read more about the submission here.
Photo: Diego Cambiaso
