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Summary: Children's rights hearings addressed juvenile justice, sexual violence and the right to freedom of expression and assembly.
The Inter-American Commission staged its 143rd session from 19 October – 4 November 2011 in Washington, DC, USA. During the session, the Commission held hearings and meetings on a range of persistent human rights violations in the region and approved reports on individual cases. However, the Commission expressed alarm that individuals due to participate in a hearing on Honduras had pulled out after receiving threats of reprisals. The Commission also condemned alleged efforts to discredit participants made by private individuals and State officials in cases involving Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. In the case of Ecuador, all radio and television stations were obliged to air a State broadcast discrediting the petitioning organisation, following the hearing on freedom of expression. Children's rights hearings Children's rights featured in hearings on juvenile justice, sexual violence against girls in educational institutions, and the repressive State response to student demonstrations in Chile. The Commission expressed concern about proposals by a number of States to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16 and to extend the length of sentences for children. The Commission declared that sentences involving deprivation of liberty may be applied only as a last resort in cases involving under-18s, as set out in its recent report on juvenile justice. In a specific hearing on the administration of justice in Haiti, the petitioners exposed detention conditions for minors as unhygienic, unhealthy and lacking opportunities for productive or recreational activities. In some instances minors are held alongside adults. The Commission also received information about the shortcomings lack of adequate sanitation, few possibilities for privacy during visits, violence against inmates by staff, the lack of awareness of the rules that govern life in correctional facilities, and the absence of study and training programmes. The widespread sexual violence experienced by women and girls in educational institutions in various countries noted the lack of adequate mechanisms for them to be heard and to be guaranteed access to justice. The use of disproportionate force and arbitrary detentions against students during demonstrations in Chile also came under scrutiny. The Commission reminded the State of its obligations to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible for violating children's rights. It further reiterated chidlren's right to freedom of expression and assembly. The Commission's next session will take place from 19-30 March 2012. The deadline for submitting requests for hearings and working meetings is 18 January 2012. Further information