IACHR
Press Release
The IACHR announces the finalists for the position of head of its Executive Secretariat
December 15, 2020
Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) analyzed the applications received for the position of Executive Secretary, within the framework of the call for applications published on September 25, 2020. The Executive Secretary, who shall be a person of high moral authority and possess recognized knowledge of human rights, will be responsible for the activities of the Executive Secretariat and will assist the Commission in the implementation of its mandate, in accordance with the IACHR Rules of Procedure.
During its Internal Session on December 14, 2020, the Inter-American Commission selected ten finalists, listed below in alphabetical order by surname: Andrés Emilio Mahnke Malschafsky (Chile), Carlos Alfonso Negret Mosquera (Colombia), Celia Medrano (El Salvador), Javier Vasquez (USA), José Antonio Guevara Bermúdez (Mexico), Karla I. Quintana Osuna (Mexico), María Claudia Pulido (Colombia), Melina Girardi Fachin (Brazil), Nadia Alejandra Cruz Tarifa (Bolivia), Tania Reneaum Panszi (Mexico). In total, the Commission received 92 applications. The selection of this list takes into account the criteria established in the call for applications, as well as on the promotion of gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
The IACHR, in compliance with the norms and regulations of the OAS General Secretariat, promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and is committed to provide equal employment opportunities, achieving a diverse staff with a broad geographical representation, as well as gender equality in the selection of candidates is taken into account. See call for applications process.
The process by which the Executive Secretary is selected will follow the procedures in accordance with Article 11 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure. With the publication of the finalists’ names, a public consultation process is opened. In accordance with Article 11.3 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR will receive observations from OAS Member States and civil society on these finalists. The period for submitting observations through this system is from December 15 to January 22, 2020 until 23:59 (Washington, DC time). The IACHR Executive Secretariat will contact the finalists to produce 2 videos with a maximum duration of 2 minutes each, which will be published on the IACHR website and its social media accounts within the next two weeks, explaining in the first , their experience for the position and in the second, their proposals in the event of being elected for the position of Executive Secretary.
Subsequently, on February 3, 2021, the IACHR will select the five finalists who will be interviewed in person by the plenary session of the Commission in February, on a date and place to be determined, taking in to account current health and safety conditions.
The Commission will select the most qualified candidate and will forward the person’s name to the Secretary General during the month of February 2021 proposing their appointment for a period of four years, which may be renewed for a second term, in accordance with article 21 of his Statute and article 11 of its Rules of Procedure. The person appointed will start to work 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.
No. 298/20