IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Extends Deadline for Submitting Applications for Executive Secretary Position
November 2, 2020
Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) announced its decision to extend the deadline for the submission of applications for the Executive Secretary position until November 19, 2020, with the aim of ensuring that the greatest possible number of interested candidates apply. The call for applications was first announced on September 25.
The process for selecting the Executive Secretary will follow the procedures set out in Article 11 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure. Applications will be received from September 25, 2020, through November 19, 2020, via an online system. On December 14, 2020, the IACHR will select a group of ten finalists. On December 15, 2020, the names and resumes of these finalists will be published on the IACHR website to enable OAS member states and civil society to submit observations regarding these candidacies.
The finalists will be asked to send two short videos of up to 2 minutes each to be published on the IACHR website and social media channels in which they explain the experience that makes them suitable for the position and their proposed course of action should they be elected as the new Executive Secretary. On February 3, after observations have been received from states and civil society, the IACHR will announce which five candidates will be interviewed in person by the plenary later in February 2021, at a date and place to be decided according to health and safety conditions.
The IACHR will select the most qualified candidate and submit their name to the Secretary General during February 2021, proposing that they be appointed for a four-year term in office that may be renewed just once, in accordance with Article 21 of the IACHR Statute and Article 11 of its Rules of Procedure. The chosen candidate will take up the position on March 16, 2021.
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.
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Press release was modified on November 18, 2020.
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