IACHR
Press Release
Call to Participate in Hearings Requested by States in the 159th Session
November 21, 2016
IACHR Press and Communication Office
Tel: +1 (202) 370-9001
[email protected]
Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hold its 159th Regular Period of Sessions in Panama, from November 29 to December 7, 2016. The hearings will take place on December 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7.
Pursuant to Article 61 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission has decided to convoke civil society organizations that may be interested in participating in the following State-requested hearings that will take place during the 159th Regular Period of Sessions: Peruvian State’s Human Rights Policy, The Human Right to Housing in Venezuela, and Human Rights Education in Brazil.
Starting today, the Commission is accepting expressions of interest to participate in these hearings. Pursuant to Article 66 of the Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, those making such a request must submit identifying information and the reasons they would like to participate. It is possible to request participation in more than one hearing.
The Executive Secretariat will later release the list of organizations convened to participate in the hearings. The organizations convened will have a combined total of 15 minutes to present any information they consider relevant. Expenses for participating in the hearing must be covered by the interested organizations or individuals themselves.
The IACHR invites those organizations and individuals who do not end up being called on to participate to present in writing any documents and information they consider relevant to the issue of the hearing.
Organizations that would like to be considered should register by sending an email to [email protected], no later than November 27, 2016, at midnight in Washington, D.C. For more information, see Title II, Chapter VI, “Hearings before the Commission,” in the Rules of Procedure of the IACHR.
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 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. 170/16