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DRI’s work and media campaigns have exposed to the world the horrors these children face. The New York Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, BBC, Al Jazeera, CNN, social media, ABC, NPR, NBC, news and documentaries – just to name a few - have continually covered DRI’s work, including DRI’s opinion and editorial pieces, resulting in uninterrupted pressure on those who have the power to assist in making change.

Justice for victims of Federico Mora

Washington, DC - September 8, 2017 - After years of monitoring conditions, advocacy, and negotiations, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has called on the government of Guatemala to take major steps toward the closure of its psychiatric hospital Federico Mora, called one of the most dangerous in the world by the BBC. During a series of meetings with Disability Rights International (DRI) and the Guatemalan government, held this week in Mexico City, the IACHR has called on Guatemala to:

DRI seeks justice for survivors of deadly Guatemala orphanage fire

After the orphanage fire that killed 41 girls in March 2017, the government of Guatemala must locate and identify the survivors and provide the support necessary for all survivors to live with their families or in the community, says the Inter-American Commision on Human Rights this week during a meeting with Disability Rights International.
 

Victory in Guatemala - right to live in the community

Guatemala City - August 9, 2017 - After years of abuse, violence, and exploitation in orphanages and psychiatric institutions, Guatemala must take urgent action to return children to their families and psychiatric detainees to the community, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights stated in a press statement released this weekend during a visit in Guatemala.

Reception honoring David Morrissey - June 2

Join DRI in celebrating two outstanding disability activists as they transition to new roles -
David Morrissey is leaving the United States International Council on Disabilities after many dedicated years as Executive Director
Priscila Rodriguez, formerly Director of DRI's country office in Mexico City, has joined DRI's Washington office as Associate Director for Advocacy
Please join us for a reception 

Watch Eric Rosenthal at UN - Protecting Children from Torture

DRI Executive Director Eric Rosenthal participated in an event launching the book Protecting Children against Torture in Detention: Global Solutions for a Global Problem. 

  • Watch the livestream of the event here - Eric begins speaking at the 48:00 minute mark.  

Protecting Children against Torture in Detention: Global Solutions for a Global Problem

Eric Rosenthal op-ed in the Washington Post

Washington, DC - March 22, 2017 - DRI Executive Director Eric Rosenthal has published an op-ed on the deadly orphanage fire in Guatemala in the Washington Post. Since the tragic fire that left 40 girls dead on March 8, DRI has been working to protect the survivors - many children who survived the fire have been dumped into other institutions around the country. Rosenthal calls on Guatemala to take this opportunity to redirect funding for orphanages to support families instead and finale close orphanages for good.

Read the op-ed below.

DRI's case against Mexico featured in The Guardian

"For decades, disabled children and adults living in institutions worldwide have suffered abuse of all kinds – from deprivation and solitary confinement in miniature cells, to sexual abuse and forced sterilisation. Now a charity which has documented this abuse for more than 20 years is bringing a landmark legal case against the Mexican government, with the intention of laying down a new line in international law." 

Urgent - Support justice for Guatemalan girls killed in fire at safe house

Washington, DC, Guatemala City - March 9, 2017 - 31 teenage girls have perished in a so-called "safe house" outside Guatemala City, Guatemala, because they were locked in their room during a fire. The girls were protesting the sexual abuse and trafficking they were subjected to in the institution - leading to being locked in the room as punishment.