CRISTOSAL INC

STRATEGIC LITIGATION: OUR LEGAL ACTION FOCUSES ON STRATEGIC LITIGATION THAT WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT THE RIGHTS OF EXCLUDED AND INVISIBLE GROUPS IN GUATEMALA, EL SALVADOR, AND HONDURAS. CRISTOSAL PROVIDES LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF FORCED DISPLACEMENT AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEPORTED WHO HAVE A NEED FOR PROTECTION. WE SUPPORT THE LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITY BY BRINGING LEGAL ACTION IN CASES OF HATE CRIMES. WE SEEK LEGAL RECOURSE FOR THE IMPROVED CONDITIONS AND TREATMENT OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE AS WELL AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY POLICE BRUTALITY OR OTHER ABUSE OF AUTHORITY. WE PROVIDE LEGAL SUPPORT TO THE VICTIMS OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN ONGOING PROCEEDINGS.PROTECTION: WE PROMOTE THE EMPOWERMENT OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND VICTIMS WITH PROTECTION NEEDS THROUGH PERSONALIZED PLANS FOR GETTING VICTIMS BACK ON THEIR FEET. WE USE A PSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH THAT SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CAPACITIES, AS WELL AS TO ENGAGE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO GUARANTEE VICTIMS' RIGHTS. WE CALL THIS "ACTIVATING THE STATE." HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH: THE HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH PROGRAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTING, ANALYZING, AND DISSEMINATING QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ON THE EXTENT AND CAUSES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN NORTHERN CENTRAL AMERICA. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLECTING AND STANDARDIZING THE DATA FOR THE REGION ON PEOPLE IN A SITUATION OF VULNERABILITY OR AT RISK OF BEING SO. WE USE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES INCLUDING INTERVIEWS, FOCUS GROUPS, PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH, AND SURVEYS.HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION: THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION PROGRAM USES DIALOGUE, EXPERIENCE-BASED AND HORIZONTAL LEARNING AS TOOLS FOR PROMOTING THE EMPOWERMENT OF VICTIMS IN THEIR RIGHTS AND TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY OF ALLIES AND LEADERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. WE PROMOTE DIALOGUE AND LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS TO BUILD SOLIDARITY AND ALLIES ACROSS BORDERS AND CULTURES.COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM:CONTRIBUTE THROUGH COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY STRATEGIES TO INFORM AND ACHIEVE GREATER PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL AUDITING, THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS AND GUATEMALA.