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Summary: This is a compilation of information about the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, its role, function, etc. Much of the information below was supplied by the Save the Children Sweden, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the website of the InterAmerican Commission.
What is it? The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is one of two bodies in the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. The other human rights body is the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which is located in San José, Costa Rica. The IACHR is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS). Its mandate is found in the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The IACHR represents all of the member States of the OAS. It is composed of seven experts who act independently, without representing any particular country. The members of the IACHR are elected by the General Assembly of the OAS. What are the functions of the Commission? The Commission's main function is to monitor compliance and defense of human rights in the Americas. The Commission's powers are derived from the Charter, but other Inter-American human rights conventions and protocols have authorised the Commission to supervise the compliance of Member states with their obligations regarding these conventions. When does the Commission meet? The IACHR meets in ordinary and special sessions several times a year. The ordinary sessions usually last for about three weeks and take place twice a year. During these sessions, the Commission dedicates one week to the hearings and working meetings on various cases and also analyses specific topics or the situation of human rights in a country. Who participates? These sessions are important for human rights organisations and advocates because they can provide the Commission with information about a topic and request its intervention in resolving an issue, or appeal for the investigation of a particular situation. How does it work? The Commission can consider petitions from individuals who claim their rights have been violated by the state and they have been unable to find justice in their won country. The Commission brings together the petitioner and the state to 'explore' a friendly settlement'. If such an outome is not possible, the Commission may recommend specific measures, or may report the case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as long as the state has accepted the Court's compulsory jurisdiction (see Article 64). Under certain circumstances, the people who believe they are at particular risk may make an urgent appeal to the Commission, which can call on a state to take 'precautionary measures' to prevent irreparable harm. The Commission may also undertake on-site visits for assessing and reporting on the human rights situation of a state. It would then issue recommendations. The Commission may also give priority to certain issues by creating rapporteurships to focus on these areas. Current rapporteurships exist on the rights of children, women, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, migrant workers, prisoners and displaces persons, and on freedom of expression. Find out what children's rights organisations are doing at the Commission.