From extremist attacks against civilians in Afghanistan to police abuse of Muslim community members in Kenya, people struggle every day with security threats that violate other basic human rights and inhibit development. Security assistance—the aid, arms, and training provided to other countries’ militaries and police forces—can be a helpful tool to foster stability.
On Wednesday, members from the House Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs held the first congressional hearing on negotiations between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
The House Foreign Affairs Committee is holding a hearing on June 17, 2015 on U.S. Policy and Strategy in the Middle East and in preparation for the hearing, Security Assistance Monitor has created an inforgraphic to illustrate the significant increase in assistance to the region in the last few years.
A Numerical Recap of Latin America's Current Security Situation.
Although the article does not focus on it, the U.S. relationship to these countries, by providing military and police aid and selling arms, not only further legitimizes the regimes, but also has the potential to facilitate their abuses.
While U.S. firearms trafficked into Mexico have fueled bloodshed, it seems that German rifles are also reaching Mexico illegally and playing a destructive role. According to an official report, a German gun company has been illegally transferring thousands of G36 rifles to four prohibited states in Mexico.