The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) released its 2024 Annual Report, warning of serious challenges and setbacks in the protection of human rights in Argentina. We break down the findings into twelve key points.
one. Democratic institutions and human rights
The IACHR warned that state reorganization policies have weakened the protection of rights. According to the report, “austerity measures and cuts to social protection programs have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable populations.” The report also echoes concerns raised by civil society regarding the “negative impacts on the intelligence system, the pension and retirement system, telecommunications and internet access, and essential poverty reduction programs.”
two. Memory, truth and justice
The report acknowledges progress in the prosecution of crimes against humanity, citing 328 verdicts, 1,187 convictions, and 192 acquittals since 2006. However, it also warns of “significant setbacks,” including the weakening of litigation capacity and the closure of key institutional spaces—most notably, the dismantling of the Collective Memory and Social Inclusion Program.
three. Social protest and civic space
In its chapter on freedom of expression, the IACHR Rapporteur noted a “rapid deterioration in the environment for exercising freedom of expression in Argentina, marked by the Executive Branch’s low tolerance for criticism and deliberative processes.” The Commission received reports of “stigmatizing discourse, primarily from high-level state authorities, targeting journalists and media outlets—particularly women journalists.”
Regarding the right to protest, the Rapporteur documented official statements aimed at discouraging free expression and legitimizing police repression. It also recorded attacks against media workers and a broader decline in public discourse. Of particular concern was the adoption of legal frameworks that restrict the right to social protest.
four. Access to public information
The report notes that numerous organizations have denounced recent regulatory changes to access to public information, stating that these changes “obscure and restrict government transparency” and “create a discretionary legal framework in which political definitions by the government and subjective decisions by public officials override the right to access information held by the State.”
Among the most concerning changes, the Rapporteur highlights the exclusion of public access to officials’ so-called “private” information, without clearly defining its scope; the introduction of the notion of “abuse of rights” as a basis to reject information requests; and a significant broadening of exceptions to disclosure.
The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression expressed concern that information requests to the State could now “lead to discretionary restrictions or punitive sanctions.”
The Rapporteur also raised alarm that these regulatory changes were enacted by executive decree, without parliamentary debate, emphasizing that “under democratic principles and the Inter-American legal framework, limitations on fundamental rights must be established through formal legislation enacted by the legislative branch.” The use of decrees, it warned, “weakens the democratic safeguards designed to protect fundamental freedoms.”
five. Rights of women and LGTBIQ persons
The report notes setbacks in gender policies, particularly following the closure of the Ministry of Women, Genders, and Diversity. According to the IACHR, “Argentina has lost its main institutional body responsible for protecting women’s rights.” The Commission also raises concern over the impact of budget cuts on essential programs such as the 144 Gender Violence Hotline and the Acompañar Program.
The IACHR highlighted the acquittal of Pierina Nochetti and warned of the risk that her criminalization could be used to undermine social protest and freedom of expression. In this context, the report includes denunciations from civil society organizations about stigmatizing rhetoric by state authorities targeting sexual and gender diversity.
The report also highlights restrictions on access to fundamental rights for LGBTIQ persons in detention, such as the denial of transfers based on gender identity.
Finally, the IACHR underscores a historic step forward: the recognition by the Argentine judiciary of trans women as victims of crimes against humanity during the dictatorship. That ruling sets an important precedent in acknowledging the specific forms of violence suffered by LGBTIQ individuals under state terrorism.
six. Sexual and reproductive rights
The report notes that the rollback of gender policies has affected access to sexual and reproductive rights, including interruptions in the distribution of contraceptives and barriers to legal abortion. Budget cuts and official discourse denying gender-based violence further exacerbate the situation. The IACHR also raised concerns about access to legal abortion (ILE), which is being undermined by the abusive use of conscientious objection.
seven. Indigenous peoples’ rights
The IACHR warned about the repeal of the decree that protected the ancestral lands of Indigenous communities, calling it a “regressive measure.” It also noted that “evictions were carried out even while the law was still in effect.” Forced evictions continue in Jujuy, Río Negro, and Chubut, and the National Registry of Indigenous Communities has been weakened, affecting their legal recognition. These measures violate territorial rights and worsen conditions of marginalization and discrimination.
eight. Human mobility
The IACHR highlighted the special migratory regularization regime for Venezuelan nationals but expressed concern about reforms that restrict the rights of refugees. These reforms include a decree amending Law No. 26.165 regarding procedural guarantees and grounds for exclusion in international protection proceedings. The IACHR pointed out that the state “eliminated review instances and shortened the timeframes for filing appeals against decisions that deny, revoke, or cancel refugee status.” The IACHR also noted that penal provisions were introduced for actions that are not inherently unlawful but could now be used to deny protection based solely on an accusation against the applicant. These changes, according to the IACHR, would violate the principle of the presumption of innocence.
nine. Economic, social, cultural and environmental rights
The document reflects the information provided by social organizations and the effects of austerity policies and state downsizing. In this context, it highlighted cuts to social protection programs made by the state, which were carried out without consideration of their impact on the most vulnerable sectors, such as workers in the informal economy. It also pointed out the jeopardizing of essential programs aimed at eradicating poverty.
ten. Rights of older persons
The loss of purchasing power of pensions and retirement benefits, along with difficulties in accessing housing, remain critical issues for this population. The IACHR requested information from the Argentine state regarding pension and retirement amounts. The state responded that “between April and September 2024, accumulated inflation was 33%, so pensions were adjusted by 74%, resulting in a 31% increase in real benefits.” However, the majority of pension recipients’ incomes do not even cover 30% of the cost of the basic food basket.
eleven. Rights of children and adolescents
The report highlights significant challenges, such as the rise in child poverty and the discussion of legislative proposals to lower the age of criminal responsibility. The IACHR stated, “Lowering the age of criminal responsibility without considering protective measures is a regressive step.” It also warned about the suspension of sexual health programs, such as the ENIA Plan, which focuses on preventing adolescent pregnancy.
twelve. Rights of persons with disabilities
The report acknowledges as progress the implementation of specific programs for the labor, educational, and sports inclusion of persons with disabilities. However, it also warns about the lack of universal accessibility and the obstacles to the full exercise of their rights.