IACHR Calls for Participation in Thematic Public Hearings of the 188th Period of Sessions

September 28, 2023

Washington, D.C., - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) invites civil society organizations, institutions, States and interested individuals to register to participate in the ex officio public hearings that will be held in person and virtually during the 188th Period of Sessions, from October 30 to November 10, 2023, in Washington D.C.

These hearings will address the following topics:

1. Jamaica: Rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

The thematic country hearing will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (E.S.T.). Its purpose is to obtain information on the human rights situation of persons deprived of their liberty and persons detained with mental health problems in Jamaica.

2. Peru: Follow-up to Country Report 2023 recommendations in the context of social protests.

This thematic country hearing will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (E.S.T.), with the objective of receiving information and identifying progress and challenges in the implementation of the recommendations issued by the IACHR in the 2023 country report on "Human Rights Situation in Peru, in the context of social protests".

To participate in either of these two public hearings mentioned in this press release, it is required to register through the electronic system (available in Spanish and English) before October 6, 2023, at 23:59 hours (E.S.T.). In keeping with Article 66 of the IACHR's Rules of Procedure, anyone interested will need to properly identify themselves and explain why they would like to take part in the hearing.

The Inter-American Commission will promptly announce the list of organizations, institutions, and persons convened to participate in each hearing. Likewise, those who are not summoned are invited to submit in writing the documentation and information they consider relevant in relation to the subject of the hearings.

The public hearings will be conducted in a hybrid manner, through in-person participation in Washington D.C. and the Zoom platform. Interpretation services will be provided in Spanish/English and English/Spanish, and the sessions will be recorded as provided 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.

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