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IACHR TAKES CASE REGARDING VENEZUELA TO THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT

  December 9, 2009

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) filed an application with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on November 25, 2009, in Case 12.556, Mercedes Chocrón Chocrón, Venezuela.

The case involves the arbitrary removal of Mercedes Chocrón Chocrón as a Temporary Judge on the bench of the Criminal Court of First Instance of the Metropolitan Caracas Criminal Judicial Circuit, in the absence of basic garantees of due process, without an adequate motivation, without the possibility of being heard and of exercising her right of defense, and without effective judicial protection available.

The case was taken to the Inter-American Court because, in view of the information available, the Commission determined that the State had not adopted measures to comply with the recommendations contained in the report on the merits approved by the IACHR in accordance with article 50 of the American Convention on Human Rights. In that report, the Commission concluded the State of Venezuela was responsible for violating rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and by the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture.

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 the 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 act in a personal capacity, without representing a particular country, and who are elected by the OAS General Assembly.

Reference: IACHR82/09