Corruption, poor human rights and unfair trade are rife and, despite promises of social justice and reform, many have become disappointed at the slow pace of change
At local level, corruption is entrenched and judges are often bought off by wealthier parties. Many police and prison officers operate amidst a culture of brutality and there is little accountability.
Indigenous communities in the south continue to suffer the impact of ongoing military and paramilitary violence.
Human rights lawyers, as well as church and social activists, are subject to intimidation and death threats.
CAFOD spent £96,428 in 2010/2011 in support of indigenous farming communities, and health & human rights programmes.
The government has focused on free trade as a means to increase economic growth, but this has led to deteriorating labour conditions, small businesses going bust, and an overall increase in poverty for most.
 | The Silenced: Fighting for Press Freedom in Mexico CAFOD is launching a new photo exhibition, developed in collaboration with The Guardian and the Committee to Protect Journalists. ‘The Silenced: Fighting for Press Freedom in Mexico’ commemorates Mexican reporters who have lost their lives in pursuit of truth. |
![COMAL's new currency "the Unit of Solidarity Exchange" [Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/honduras/images/the-unit-of-solidarity-exchange/110497-2-eng-GB/the-unit-of-solidarity-exchange_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) |
To compete with US imports, COMAL is linking local consumers and producers in Honduras through its community shops, which even have their own currency. |
![CAFOD supporters have lobbied for - and won - commitments on aid, debt and a fairer system of world trade [Kate Stanworth]](/var/storage/images/images/politicians-statespeople-and-celebrities/cafod-trade-justice-lobby-of-parliament/247481-2-eng-GB/cafod-trade-justice-lobby-of-parliament_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) |
Our Public Policy Team researches and analyses international policies affecting poor communities, and suggests alternatives to reduce poverty |
![Diego Arcos Meneses was wrongly accused of murder - he was imprisoned for a year and tortured before our partner Frayba secured his release [CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/about-us/where-we-work/mexico/images/diego-arcos-meneses/1102506-1-eng-GB/diego-arcos-meneses_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg) |
Find out how our partner Frayba is working to free political prisoners and others who have been unjustly imprisoned in Mexico |
![CAFOD-funded Fomento helps coffee farmers like Nacho Hernandez Perez to face the threat of falling prices [Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/mexico/images/man-with-child-in-his-arms/4873-2-eng-GB/man-with-child-in-his-arms_0column75_nospace_landscape.jpg)
