Human rights and diversity activism in Latin America

Activists and community groups in Mexico and Uruguay have engaged in various mobilizations to advocate for the rights of marginalized populations.

In August, demonstrations in Mexico and Uruguay marked the International Day of Action on Homelessness. In Mexico, advocates at the ‘Sin techo, con derechos’ forum highlighted how homelessness intersects with exclusion for LGBT+ individuals, noting that a lack of gender perspective hinders access to public services. In Uruguay, protesters marched against social indifference, calling for policies that promote dignity and address the stigma associated with extreme poverty and mental health.

By September, rights-based marches continued in Uruguay, focusing on diversity and accessibility. In Fray Bentos, the Espacio Participación Diversa collective held a diversity march featuring health awareness sessions and concerns regarding the impact of global UNAIDS funding cuts on HIV prevention. In Salto, the Asociación de Sordos de Salto organized a march to promote the rights of the deaf community, emphasizing the importance of Uruguayan Sign Language for inclusion in education, health, and public services.