Interview with Gabriela Oporto Patroni
Lawyer / Human Rights Advocate
Where are you from, and why there?
I’m from Lima, Peru. Ranked number 5 in the list of most biodiverse countries in the world, it’s a beautiful country probably better known for being home to Machu Picchu and some of the best restaurants in the world. But Peru is a complicated country, with a history of racism, homophobia, gender-based violence, inequality, and a tumbling democracy. Since 2016, Peru has had six presidents. The last two individuals elected to the office (Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in 2016 and Pedro Castillo in 2021) were removed by Congress less than two years into their terms.
Why was I born in Peru? The short answer is luck! I am proud and happy to be Peruvian, and growing up and living there for so long has shaped who I am. The long answer is that, on my father’s side, there is migration from Portugal into Brazil that made its way to the Peruvian Andes, finally settling in Alca, a small town in Arequipa (a little over 2200 people lived there according to the 2005 census). But Peru is a highly centralized country, so opportunities are lacking in small towns like Alca. My dad’s family migrated to Lima in the 1950s, and there he learned that speaking his native language, Quechua, was not acceptable (thankfully, in recent years, the approach to native languages in Peru is changing and more people are learning and preserving their parents’ languages). On my mother’s side, a mix of Afro-Peruvians, Italian Peruvians, and other groups, settled in Lima and were blue-collar workers. My mother was the first in her family to go to college and obtain a professional degree. Both she and my father were accountants and met working for a company better known for making blankets with tigers in them, which are very popular in Peru.
Which issue(s) do you work on/care about, and why?
I work supporting at-risk human rights defenders (HRDs) from Latin America, which sadly has been deemed by several experts as the most dangerous region for HRDs. These brave individuals denounce everything from dismantling of democracy to corruption and, perhaps more notably, attacks on the environment by extractive economic activities.
HRDs are often labeled as enemies of the progress of their own countries, particularly by those accused of wrongdoing. However, I truly believe that all HRDs, and especially those with whom I work, only want what is best for their communities and their countries. Their work is important to keep state and non-state actors accountable for any crime they commit, to voice citizens’ concerns, and to ensure public participation in decision-making processes.
I care deeply about democracy and citizen participation because I have experienced a dictatorship firsthand. Alberto Fujimori ruled in Peru between 1990 and 2000, and in that time, he persecuted opposition leaders, journalists, and HRDs who denounced his takeover of democratic institutions, and the severe crimes against humanity committed by state actors under his command.
How did you get involved?
Since I was 8 years old, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer and work in human rights, helping strengthen democracy. My first job right out of law school was at a publishing company that owned a prominent legal news website. There, I learned the importance of informing the public about relevant legislation and regulations without using technical language, and the value of addressing decision-makers directly to explain the consequences of their actions.
After several years at this company, I transitioned to a civil society organization focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). There, I was able to use my abilities as a litigator to hold the Peruvian government accountable to human rights violations in that field. I also learned of the importance of having a healthy democratic environment that enables HRDs to do their work.
For personal circumstances, I migrated to the United States in 2021, and now I have the honor of working with a global team that provides support to HRDs all over the world.
What’s the biggest challenge for the issue(s) today?
In my opinion, the most pressing challenge to HRDs are the threats to their physical integrity, especially to their lives, by state and non-state actors who are looking to silence them. But the biggest challenge for HRDs is the dismantling of democratic institutions and the reduction of civic space. When democracy stops working as it should, HRDs are left without immediate protection from threats and violence and need to devote time and resources to defending democracy itself rather than continue advocating for the rights they defend, whether land rights, women’s rights, LGBTIQ rights, racial or ethnic minority rights, or others. In turn, reduction of civic space can make it difficult for HRDs to access the resources they need to do their work and can effectively shut down the operations of smaller organizations.
Who are your most frequent allies? Any surprises?
My allies can be very diverse, from community leaders to government officials, and of course members of local and international civil society organizations. So far, no surprises.
What drives you?
I know what living in a dictatorship is like. Constant fear, political instability, lack of accountability, no freedom. Democracy, with all its challenges, offers a possibility that is hard to resist: that individual freedoms are guaranteed, that each person or group can achieve their goals but also participate in matters of public interest, that those in power are accountable for the decisions they make and have clear boundaries for exercising said power. Democracy also means that minorities who have been discriminated against have tools to ensure equal protection under the law and, even better, to achieve material equality. As a queer woman, this makes me value democracy even more.
What do you want your career/advocacy to stand for?
Community — of human rights defenders, of democracy advocates, you name it. I believe that the greatest achievements in the history of humanity are those that resulted from collaboration. So, hopefully I am working towards creating a community of advocates and HRDs that contribute to strengthening democracy and human rights everywhere.