Genocide Watch country report classifies Costa Rica at Stage 3.
2026 July
Genocide Watch published a country report on Costa Rica, authored by Juliana Girotto, classifying the country at Stage 3: Discrimination. The classification cites the government’s crackdowns on LGBTQ+ rights, restrictions on press freedom, its handling of crime, inadequate refugee protections, and insufficient action on gender-based violence.
The report documents the rollback of protections for LGBTQ+ people under former President Rodrigo Chaves: the elimination of the government LGBTI Commissioner position, the repeal of an anti-bullying protocol protecting LGBTQ+ youth in schools, and the rescinding of an executive decree meant to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ+ people within federal institutions. It notes that transgender individuals face barriers to employment, housing, and education, that systemic discrimination persists in workplaces, schools, and healthcare settings, and that sexual and gender minorities are used as political bargaining chips during elections. Among its recommendations is that the government strengthen enforcement of protective orders in cases of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ+ people and against women and girls.