IACHR Calls for Participation in Ex Officio Public Hearings of the 190th Period of Sessions

May 31, 2024

Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) invites civil society organizations, institutions, and interested individuals to register to participate in the ex officio public hearings to be held virtually during the 190th Period of Sessions, from July 8 to 12, 2024.

These hearings will address the following topics:

1. Regional | The Protection of the Rights of Refugees on the 40th Anniversary of the Cartagena Declaration

The regional thematic hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 9, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM (EST). The Cartagena+40 Process aims to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the 1984 Cartagena Declaration on Refugees. This process is led by Chile, with the support of UNHCR, and will be based on the region's consensus, advances, and achievements over the past decades, ensuring their inclusion at national and regional levels. The hearing aims to contribute to the discussions and regional consultations that States will conduct within the framework of the Cartagena+40 Process and provide inputs to the content of the Chile 2024 Declaration and Action Plan, as well as the follow-up mechanism to be implemented.

2. United States | The Impact of Armed Violence on the Rights of Children and Adolescents

The thematic hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 10, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM (EST). The Commission has observed the persistence of armed violence against children and adolescents in the United States, which has a severe impact on the rights of this population and communities across the country. This hearing seeks to discuss the issue and understand its effects in detail from a human rights perspective.

3. Regional | Corporal Punishment and Its Impact on the Rights of Children and Adolescents in the Caribbean

The regional thematic hearing will take place on Friday, July 12, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM (EST). The Commission has observed the persistent use of corporal punishment against children and adolescents in the Caribbean, noting that this practice remains legally permitted in schools and residential institutions. This hearing aims to raise awareness and address the issue of corporal punishment in the region by involving various key actors.

To participate in any of the public hearings mentioned in this press release, registration is required through the electronic system (available in Spanish and English) by June 10, 2024, at 11:59 PM (Washington, D.C. time). According to Article 66 of the CIDH Regulations, interested parties must provide their identification details and justify their participation.

The Inter-American Commission shall notify in a timely manner the list of organizations, institutions, and persons summoned to participate in each hearing. In addition, those who are not summoned are invited to submit written documentation and information that they consider relevant to the topics of the hearings.

The public hearings will be held virtually via the Zoom platform. Interpretation services will be offered in Spanish/English and English/Spanish, and the hearings will be recorded for the purposes outlined in the Rules of Procedure.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 123/24

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