Write for Rights – September 2024
Joel Parades
Twenty-nine-year-old ceramicist Víctor Joel Rodrigo Paredes lives in Humahuaca, a small town in Jujuy, a northern Argentine province. In June 2023 the local government pushed through changes to the province’s constitution, including restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly, as well as measures that may cause damage to the environment, and risk violating Indigenous Peoples’ land rights. The changes were approved without consultation with Indigenous Peoples or the wider population.
Jujuy is a province rich in lithium, a metal known as “white gold” due to its worldwide demand for the creation of batteries. Argentine authorities want to expand lithium exports. But people who live on the land, like Joel and his family, have serious doubts. Although not Indigenous himself, Joel sympathized greatly and was concerned for the future of his children who would grow up on the land. In support, on the evening of 30 June 2023, Joel joined a protest in Humahuaca square. Alongside hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, Joel played a “bombo” drum with his band while the City Council discussed the changes in a nearby building. For Joel: “Our musical instruments are our weapons.”
In the early hours of 1 July, the police arrived at the square and started recklessly firing rubber bullets into the crowd. Joel was hit in his right eye. The injury required surgery, but doctors could not save his sight and Joel is now permanently blind in his right eye. Joel is also left with debilitating nerve pain that impacts his daily life.
Joel filed an official complaint about the incident. The investigation is being handled by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, but no progress has been made in the investigation. No one has been held accountable for what happened to Joel and the other protesters.
Take Action
Urge the attorney general to bring those responsible for Joel Paredes’s injuries, and all other violations against protesters, to justice in accordance with international law and standards. Emphasise the urgent need for justice and reparation for Joel and other victims of police violence in Jujuy.
- Tell him something about yourself to make this a personal letter.
- Tell him what shocks you about the case of Joel Paredes.
- Tell him why you think it is important that governments respect and uphold the
right to protest. - Demand that those found responsible for Joel Paredes’s injuries and all other violations against protesters be brought to justice in accordance with international law and standards.
Write to:-
Dr Sergio E. Lello Sánchez
Attorney General of the Public
Prosecutor’s Office
Sarmiento 427
4600 San Salvador de Jujuy
Argentina
email:- slello@mpajujuy.gob.ar
Instagram: @mpajujuy
X: @MpaJujuy
Salutation Dear Attorney General
Update April 2025
Taken from Write for Rights Global Report.
Highlights of Joel’s campaign
One of the most impactful moments of the Write for Rights campaign was the overwhelming show of solidarity for Joel through the incredible volume of letters sent to Amnesty International Argentina. To ensure these messages of support reached him, we placed a letterbox at the entrance of our offices. On several occasions, the letterbox overflowed with heartfelt letters, a testament to the global commitment to Joel’s cause. Even now, we continue to receive many letters of support for Joel on a daily basis.
Total number of actions taken in support of Joel: 402,466
Outcomes of Joel’s campaign
Recently, Joel’s lawyer informed us that there has been some movement in his case. The investigation has recently been reactivated, with a new case number assigned. On 6 February 2025, an ocular inspection was conducted by the prosecution, as part of the inspection process, at the location where the events occurred—specifically, where Joel was struck by a rubber bullet. This marks a notable step forward in the investigation, which had previously been stalled. So far, no one has been charged yet in the case.
While this progress is encouraging, much remains to be done to ensure justice is served. Continued support for Joel’s case will be crucial to sustaining momentum in the investigation and holding the perpetrators accountable.
Next steps
Amnesty International will continue to support Joel through ongoing communication with him and his legal team, closely monitoring the progress of the investigation and providing advocacy for his demand for justice.
An IAR casefile has been developed and will be available soon, as continued international mobilization is critical in ensuring that the investigation proceeds and that the perpetrators are held accountable. Please continue to take action!