IACHR Completes its 190th Period of Sessions and Celebrates its 65th Anniversary

July 19, 2024

Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held its 190th Period of Sessions from July 8 to 19, 2024. The session featured 34 virtual public hearings on human rights in the region, celebrated the Commission's 65th anniversary, and included collaboration with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. Additionally, there was a regional dialogue on organized crime and corruption and the challenges they pose to the Inter-American System. Internal sessions relevant to the Commission's institutional mandate were also conducted.

During these sessions, the IACHR received information from states and civil society on a range of topics. These included the situation of Nicaraguan asylum seekers and refugees in Costa Rica, indigenous peoples' rights and freedom of religion in Nicaragua, and issues related to freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the forced displacement of indigenous communities in Guatemala. The Commission also addressed the arbitrary deprivation of liberty for political reasons and institutional violence in Cuba, and condemned state repression against activists and human rights defenders.

Regarding Mexico, issues concerning violence in Chiapas and the rights of women with disabilities were addressed. For Canada, discussions focused on the health impacts of business activities. The repercussions of the prison crisis in Honduras and Ecuador were analyzed, along with the situation of human rights defenders during the state of emergency. In Bolivia, the focus was on the right to water, while in Paraguay, the right to health was the main concern. Additionally, the effects on the independence of the Attorney General's Office in Uruguay were examined.

Concerning Venezuela, issues such as participation and freedom of expression within the electoral context were examined, along with the right to health of the Yanomami indigenous people. Additionally, for the first time, a public hearing was held on 10 precautionary measures on health in Venezuela, during which beneficiaries provided information on how the lack of implementation of these measures impacts their rights. The IACHR regrets the absence of the State of Venezuela and condemns the systematic human rights violations occurring in the country.

Additional topics covered included the follow-up on recommendations related to the 2021 national strike in Colombia; issues of impunity for human rights violations during the 1980-2000 armed conflict in Peru, including the rights of trans people; human rights violations in police operations and state accountability for business activities in Brazil; and social protest and freedom of expression in Argentina. The human rights situation in El Salvador was also reviewed, where the IACHR urged to continue the dialogue within a strengthened democracy and rule of law.

Six hearings were also held to address issues at the regional level, such as freedom of expression; the exile of journalists; the criminalization of environmental defenders; the right to memory, truth, and justice; the impact of corporal punishment on the rights of children in the Caribbean; and the protection of the rights of refugees 40 years after the Cartagena Declaration, a meeting where the IACHR urged member states to build an Action Plan that honors the Latin American tradition of solidarity and strengthens the protection of refugees.

Six hearings were also held on cases before the IACHR: Case 12.325 Community of San José de Apartadó vs. Colombia; Case 14.950 José Miguel Vega Bas and others vs. Chile; and Case 15.169 Michael Brown Jr. and Lesley Mcfadden vs. USA. The Commission recognizes the participation of the states, petitioning parties, and alleged victims. The information received in the hearings will be appropriately evaluated when the IACHR rules on these cases.

The IACHR held 12 working meetings on precautionary measures corresponding to the States of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru, and highlighted their participation and openness to dialogue for the agreement of protection measures.

In keeping with the recent declaration of the 54th General Assembly of the OAS that celebrates the 65th anniversary of the IACHR, the Inter-American Court, and the Convention, the session paid tribute to the tireless commitment to the promotion and defense of human rights in the region; work that has left an indelible mark on the continent, especially in historically excluded populations, giving them hope and dignity. The central axis of the Commission's strategic plan is its role as an essential player in the region's efforts to generate Inter-American standards and jurisprudence.

Another highlight of this session was the visit of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHRP), a body with the mandate of promoting and protecting human rights on the African continent. This meeting allowed a space for dialogue and exchange on progress and challenges regarding the human rights situation in the respective regions. In addition, the importance of maintaining the autonomy, independence, and transparency of both organizations was highlighted.

The IACHR also organized a dialogue with experts, international organizations, and academics on organized crime, corruption, and the challenges and progress they represent for the Inter-American Human Rights System. The objective was to explore new strategies to mitigate the growing negative impact on the enjoyment and exercise of human rights, a phenomenon that has intensified in the last decade and that also affects the rule of law and democracy.

The Commission reiterates its gratitude to the member states and civil society organizations for their participation in the 190th Period of Sessions, and recalls Article 63 of the Regulations, which establishes that states must guarantee the security of all people who participate in public hearings and prohibits retaliation against them or their family members for the statements or opinions rendered before the IACHR.

This press release is accompanied by an annex with summaries of all public hearings held. Videos of the hearings are available on YouTube and photos can be found on Flickr.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate arises from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance of human rights in the region and act as a consultative body to the OAS. 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. 167/24

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