Human Rights

The ACLU of Puerto Rico defends the human rights and dignity of every person on the island. From combating political repression and government overreach to protecting access to healthcare, housing, and justice, we work to ensure that Puerto Rico’s laws and institutions uphold fundamental freedoms for all.

Human Rights

What you need to know

1937

The ACLU’s first human rights investigation in Puerto Rico exposed political repression during the Ponce Massacre, setting the stage for decades of civil rights advocacy.

128 Years

Since 1898, Puerto Rico has remained under a colonial relationship with the United States without a completed process of self-determination that offers clearly defined status options consistent with international law.

2017

The PROMESA law created a Fiscal Oversight Board with sweeping powers that continue to undermine local democracy and accountability.

Stand Up for Human Rights in Puerto Rico

The ACLU of Puerto Rico is fighting to ensure that human rights are protected in every corner of society — from the courts to the streets. You can help by sharing our reports, supporting our advocacy against government overreach, and joining the movement for a Puerto Rico where justice, democracy, and dignity are not negotiable.

Key Issues

Human rights are not abstract — they’re about how power is used and who benefits. The ACLU of Puerto Rico works to hold institutions accountable and amplify the voices of those most impacted by injustice.

Government Accountability: Exposing corruption, surveillance, and misuse of public power.

Democratic Rights: Challenging unequal political representation and barriers to meaningful participation, while advocating for a genuine process of self-determination with clearly defined options consistent with international law.

Economic Justice: Defending workers and families impacted by austerity and privatization.

Environmental Rights: Protecting communities affected by pollution, displacement, and neglect.

ACLU of Puerto Rico

The Latest

Press Release
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Authorized statement: Authorized statement: death of a Vieques woman stranded at the Port of Ceiba while waiting for maritime transportation

Authorized statement by attorney Annette Martínez Orabona, executive director of the ACLU of Puerto Rico, regarding the death of a Vieques woman stranded at the Port of Ceiba while waiting for maritime transportation:
Issue Areas: Human Rights
Know Your Rights
ACLU of Puerto Rico

Local Protection, Safety for All

Sanctuary policies are local measures designed to protect all people in a community, regardless of immigration status. These policies ensure that municipal and state governments do not use local resources to enforce federal immigration laws, prioritizing safety, trust, and community well-being instead.
Press Release
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Judge Swain Lifts Stay on Lawsuits Against Government Officials in Their Personal Capacity Following Arguments by ACLU of Puerto Rico

Under the guise of the Puerto Rico debt restructuring process, current and former officials have avoided facing the law in civil rights violation lawsuits.
Issue Areas: Criminal Law Reform, Human Rights, Free Speech
Resource
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Legal

Since its founding, the ACLU of Puerto Rico has been at the forefront of landmark legal battles defending civil rights and liberties across the archipelago. Our legal team challenges systemic injustice through strategic litigation that protects free expression, due process, equality, and government accountability. From fighting police brutality and defending the rights of incarcerated people to advancing reproductive freedom and immigrants’ rights, we work to ensure that justice in Puerto Rico is accessible, equitable, and enduring.
Court Case
Apr 22, 2024

Amicus Brief - Comité Diálogo Ambiental v. FEMA

The case Comité Diálogo Ambiental v. FEMA focuses on the demand for disaster recovery funds to be used to transform Puerto Rico's electrical power system into one based on solar energy. The lawsuit argues that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other U.S. agencies have a duty to respect the will of the people of Puerto Rico, as expressed by their legislature, and to promote the island's economic development. The legal basis cited includes Article 73 of the United Nations Charter and the right of peoples to self-determination, emphasizing that federal actions must align with the best interests of the Puerto Rican population.
Court Case
Mar 02, 2026

Amicus Brief - Comité Diálogo Ambiental v. FEMA

El caso Comité Diálogo Ambiental v. FEMA se centra en la exigencia de que los fondos de recuperación de desastres sean utilizados para transformar el sistema de energía eléctrica de Puerto Rico a un modelo basado en energía solar. La demanda argumenta que la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA) y otras agencias de Estados Unidos tienen la obligación de respetar la voluntad del pueblo de Puerto Rico, expresada a través de su legislatura, y promover el desarrollo económico de la isla. El fundamento legal invocado incluye el Artículo 73 de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y el derecho a la autodeterminación de los pueblos, destacando la necesidad de que las acciones federales se alineen con los intereses de la población puertorriqueña.