Eva Melgar Pociabos
She is an indigenous Chiquitana woman human rights defender from the province of Chiquitos in the department of Santa Cruz. Her work as a feminist leader has focused on the rights of women, adolescents and children.
The environment for human rights defenders in any sector in Bolivia can be quite hostile. Human rights defenders face continuous attacks, threats and acts of intimidation in the country. The lack of response from the government is particularly worrisome and organisations – especially those which work to denounce human rights violations and abuses by the State – have suffered constant harassment and stigmatisation. Civil society has also denounced the lack of actions taken by the Bolivian State in the search for truth, justice and reparation for the serious human rights violations committed during the 18 years of military rule.
