IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Publishes Report No. 23/20 on Petition 1275-04 A—Juan Luis Rivera Matus, Chile
May 18, 2020
Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) plans to approve the friendly settlement agreement concerning Petition 1275-04 A—Juan Luis Rivera Matus, signed on January 31, 2020 by the victims, their representatives, and the Chilean State.
On November 29, 2004, the IACHR received a petition alleging that the Chilean State was internationally responsible for events linked to the arrest and later disappearance of Mr. Juan Luis Rivera Matus on November 6, 1975, at the hands of agents of the State. In particular, the petitioning party said that the State had failed to do its duty to provide adequate reparations for the damage it had caused.
Petitioners noted that they had obtained no financial compensation, which amounted to a violation of Articles 1.1, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 25 of the American Convention on Human Rights.
This agreement included an item requiring financial reparation, which ends the controversy that had been taken before the IACHR concerning a lack of civilian compensation for Mr. Juan Luis Rivera Matus’ family in the context of Petition 1275-04 A. In the agreement, the State committed to providing reparations within six months and to informing the Commission once it had made the relevant payment.
The IACHR values the collaborative dialogue between the Chilean State and the petitioning party in bilateral negotiations to design this friendly settlement agreement. The Commission calls on the relevant authorities to seek compliance with the State’s international obligations based on this agreement until they achieve full compliance with the agreement. The Commission also values the good will of the petitioning party and its committed efforts to reach an agreement that allows the victim’s family to solve this case.
Friendly settlement report no. 23/20, concerning Petition P-1275-04, is available here.
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 115/20