IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Announces Schedule of Hearings for 174th Period of Sessions
October 17, 2019
Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has announced the schedule of public hearings that will take place as part of the 174th Period of Sessions, to be held in Quito, Ecuador, from November 8 to 14, 2019. The hearings will be held on November 11 and 12. The venue for the sessions and hearings is the Swissôtel Quito, in Quito, Ecuador. The IACHR wishes to thank the state of Ecuador for its invitation to hold this period of sessions in the country. Holding periods of sessions at a venue outside the IACHR headquarters is a way for the organization to raise its profile in the region, bring its mechanisms for defending, protecting, and promoting human rights closer to the victims and people it serves, and further democratize access to the Inter-American Human Rights System. These sessions will include public hearings and working meetings on all OAS member states except Ecuador.
In accordance with Article 68 of the IACHR's Rules of Procedure, all hearings shall be public and interested parties may attend them freely. There is no need for the general public to register in advance to attend. The sessions are open to all, and attendance is only limited by the available space at the venue. The public hearings will also be livestreamed on the IACHR website.
With regard to the recent social protests in Ecuador, the IACHR noted that the state of emergency that has been decreed in the country will expire on November 3. The IACHR observed that it would conduct a working visit to Ecuador from October 28 to 30, 2019, at the invitation of the state, to observe the human rights situation in the country on the ground in relation to these demonstrations. During this visit before the start of the forum and period of sessions, the IACHR will hold meetings with state authorities, social movements, civil society organizations, and other key players in Ecuador, in accordance with Article 41 of the American Convention on Human Rights.
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 matter. 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. 261/19