For decades, María Amparo Carvajal in Bolivia and Juana Ruiz in Colombia have dedicated their lives to defending human rights and supporting survivors of violence and oppression. Their tireless efforts were recognized this week when the U.S. Department of State presented them with the prestigious Human Rights Defender Award.
Carvajal, originally from Spain, has been a central figure in Bolivia’s human rights movement since 1971, the year Hugo Banzer seized power through a coup d’état. Banzer’s regime, which lasted until 1978, was marked by widespread human rights abuses, motivating Carvajal to take action.
In 1976, she founded the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights in Bolivia (APDHB), an organization dedicated to monitoring and defending human rights during the dictatorship. Carvajal, who remains its president, has spent decades working alongside volunteers to provide support, advocacy, and services to victims of human rights violations and their families.
“I don’t see myself as anything special,” Carvajal told Voice of America. “I just believe in fulfilling one’s duty. As I tell a close friend, when lies spread, you must speak the truth. Seek the truth, and you’ll find it.”
Even at 85 years old and battling cancer, Carvajal has continued her activism. In June 2023, she staged a 51-day vigil outside the APDHB building, protesting after the office was forcibly occupied.
“We all want to find a place where we belong,” she said. “I’m not here for money. I’m here to fight for education, healthcare, and justice. I’m here to demand that everyone has the right to live in harmony, to respect one another.”
Her resilience and dedication have inspired younger generations. Using a wheelchair during her vigil, Carvajal repeatedly emphasized that her fight for freedom was driven by a desire to leave behind a legacy of activism that others could carry forward.
“María Amparo Carvajal has spent over 50 years fighting for human rights in Bolivia,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the awards ceremony. “From cases of torture and disappearances to the rights of Indigenous communities, she has championed countless causes over the decades.”
Blinken also highlighted her unwavering determination, noting how she braved harsh weather conditions and cold temperatures during her protest. “When the occupiers finally left the APDHB office, María Amparo said, ‘I felt strong because I didn’t sell out.’ That conviction defines her life’s work.”
A fight for women’s rights in Colombia
In Colombia, Juana Ruiz has emerged as a powerful advocate for women and survivors of gender-based violence. An Afro-Colombian artist, educator, and social leader, Ruiz is the director of the Association for Dignified and Solidary Life (ASVIDAS), an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of violence in the country.
Ruiz’s journey into human rights activism began with her own personal experience as a victim of Colombia’s armed conflict. In March 2000, during one of the bloodiest periods of violence in the Montes de María region in northern Colombia, her entire community was forcibly displaced.
“The paramilitaries looted everything,” Ruiz told Voice of America. “But they also sexually abused several women in the community.” This traumatic experience ignited her commitment to advocating for human rights. “We didn’t set out to do this work with a title or a plan,” she said. “We started out of necessity.”
In 2005, as some paramilitary groups began to demobilize, Ruiz and ASVIDAS recognized the disproportionate impact the conflict had on women. They sought to address the deep wounds left by the violence, finding ways to transform pain, anger, and fear into reconciliation and healing. One of their key tools? Art.
A North American woman introduced ASVIDAS members to the art of “retazo,” or patchwork quilting. Using scraps of fabric, Ruiz and others began creating pieces that told the stories of the conflict and its impact on their lives. These artworks have since been displayed in museums across Colombia, serving as powerful reminders of the country’s turbulent history and the resilience of its women.
“Juana Alicia Ruiz joined other women in her community to create a project that allowed survivors to share their experiences and process their trauma through retazo,” Blinken said at the ceremony. “Her advocacy led to a Colombian court ordering the government to establish a museum dedicated to educating the public about the massacre and promoting reconciliation.”
Global recognition for courageous advocates
Carvajal and Ruiz were among eight individuals honored during the State Department’s ceremony, which was led by Secretary Blinken. The other recipients hailed from countries including Azerbaijan, Burma, Eswatini, Ghana, Kuwait, and the Kyrgyz Republic.
“These individuals are united by their extraordinary courage, determination, and resilience in defending human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, during the event. “As we celebrate their achievements, we also acknowledge the significant challenges they face, including threats, harassment, unjust imprisonment, torture, and even death.”
The awards were presented on December 10, marking International Human Rights Day. This date commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
“We gather today to honor the strength of civil society and the perseverance of individuals who keep hope alive for a better future,” said Dafna Rand, Assistant Secretary for the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
A legacy of hope
Carvajal and Ruiz’s work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of human rights advocacy in the face of oppression. Their relentless dedication has not only brought justice and healing to survivors but has also inspired others to continue the fight for dignity, equality, and freedom.
Through her decades-long struggle, Carvajal has shown that courage and integrity can withstand even the harshest challenges. Similarly, Ruiz’s commitment to empowering women and preserving their stories ensures that the lessons of Colombia’s conflict will not be forgotten.
As these two remarkable women continue their efforts, their stories stand as a testament to the transformative power of activism and the enduring impact of those who dare to defend human rights.
