Renata Avila, (Guatemalan), is an international Human Rights lawyer, specialising in the next wave of technological challenges to preserve and advance our rights, and better understand the politics of data and their implications on trade, democracy and society. She is an Affiliate with the Stanford Institute of Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. She is an Advisory Board member for Creative Commons. She also serves as a Board Member of the Common Action Forum and a Global Trustee of the Think Tank Digital Future Society. She is an advisory member of the initiative Cities for Digital Rights. She co-founded the Alliance for Inclusive Algorithms, the Progressive International and the Polylateral Association, an international platform cooperative for knowledge workers. @avilarenata
Latest posts by Renata Avila
In a blow against impunity, Guatemala's top court rules in favor of the return of UN anti-corruption commissioner
"The eyes of the world should be put on Guatemala as the country goes through a key moment of their history"
Guatemala's Top Court Rules President Can't Expel Anti-Corruption Commissioner
Guatemalans headed back to the streets to celebrate the court's decision and demand that the president step down.
Guatemala’s Battle Against Corruption Reaches a Critical Tipping Point
On a rocky road toward more transparency, Guatemalans are back on the streets to protest corruption and demanding their president to step down... again.
A Global Call for Justice Unites Artists in Guatemala
It's been two months since 41 girls burned to death in a fire at a state-run home for children. But Guatemalan authorities have been slow to act.
Another Young Environmentalist Is Murdered in Guatemala
Jeremy Barrios' killing puts another name in the list of human environmentalists to be silenced in the region and raises concern about the State's incapability to protect its own citizens.
Human Rights Activist and Indigenous Leader Berta Cáceres Is Assassinated in Honduras
After years of environmental activism and fighting for indigenous communities, human rights champion Berta Caceres was assassinated in Honduras today.
Sexual Violence a Crime Against Humanity, Guatemalan Court Rules in Historic Verdict
In a historic ruling, a Guatemala court sentences former military men for murder, rape and enslavement of indigenous women, categorizing the offenses as crimes against humanity.
Guatemalan President Resigns After Arrest Warrant Issued
Otto Pérez Molina is Guatemala's president no longer. After months of marching to demand justice and accountability, Guatemalans received the news of the resignation of the now former leader
A Week Before a Huge Vote, Demonstrators Fill Guatemala's Streets, Calling For President to Step Down
University students, peasants, families, indigenous groups, artists, cities, towns, hospitals, and more are rapidly joining calls for President Otto Pérez Molina to step down.
Public Anger Only Grows After Guatemala Appoints Controversial Vice President
Guatemala has a new vice president, elected by the majority of government: Magistrate Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre, who in 2013 declared all the genocide proceedings against former dictator Rios Montt invalid.
Guatemalan Vice President Resigns, Protests Continue
As a new politically conscious youth fills the streets demanding change, is a 'Guatemalan Spring' in the offing?
Thousands of Guatemalans March to Demand Resignations of Top Leadership
According to some analysts, these protests are different from demonstrations against "corruption as usual," and could lead to an institutional crisis, early elections, or even a coup.
Connecting Istanbul and London to Crowdsource the Web We Want Festival
Twenty-five years ago, Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web and gave it to the world. To mark this anniversary, we are building a major new three-part festival at...
4 Arrested after White Powder Attack on Guatemalan Vice President
The VP was leaving the annual state of the union address. Reactions to the incident show citizens' skepticism regarding the government and their results in their two years in power.
Indigenous Demand Investigation into Massacre at Nacahuil, Guatemala
Gunmen killed 11 people and wounded 28 more over the weekend in a village near Guatemala City, where indigenous communities struggle to preserve their territory free from mining and militarization.
Efraín Ríos Montt Found Guilty of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
Guatemalan de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. The 86-year-old former General was sentenced to 80 years in prison. This landmark verdict sets a precedent for current conflicts around the world.
#FLISOL 2013: Hundreds of Latin Americans Installing Free Software
From the Patagonia to Havana, hundreds of computer users across Latin America are choosing freedom over control by installing free software on their computers. On April 27th, groups of free...
Guatemala's Genocide Trial Declared Invalid
After a turbulent week in the trial proceedings against former de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt and former Intelligence Director José Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez in Guatemala, a lower court declared all proceedings invalid and reversed the criminal trial to the preliminary stage.
String of Killings Leaves Five Guatemalan Activists Dead
Although Guatemala is taking a giant step towards justice by prosecuting former dictator Efraín Rios Montt for genocide, problems with violence and impunity continue unresolved. In less than one month, five indigenous and social leaders have been kidnapped and murdered by gangs of armed men in different regions of rural Guatemala.
Mayan Priests Denied Access to Ceremonial Places in Guatemala
Guatemala, the heart of Mayan culture, has started their festivities for the 13 Baktun - the last cycle of the Mayan calendar, due to end on December 21, 2012. But sadly the celebrations were dominated by staged government shows which were neither lead nor shared by indigenous communities or spiritual leaders. Mayan elders are the keepers of the 'long count of the days', however Guatemalan authorities imposed restrictions on them to practice their ceremonies.
Ada Lovelace Day: Celebrating Women's Genius
Ada Lovelace Day, celebrated every October 16, honors international women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths -women's whose skills are urgently needed for the future of the world. Here we highlight some of these extraordinary women.
