Credit: Eddie Arrossi / IACHR
This week, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACPHR), Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) will begin holding sessions.
During their sessions, all three bodies will evaluate human rights conditions in their regions and consider State compliance with the duties and obligations set forth in regional human rights treaties.
African Commission on Human and People’s Rights
The ACPHR will hold its 54th Ordinary Session from October 22 to November 5 in Banjul, the Gambia. The Commission will begin with a general discussion on the state of human rights in Africa and will then review State reports from the Republic of Cameroon, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and the Republic of Gabon. Under Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, States are required to submit reports every two years with information about legislation and other measures taken to protect and ensure the human rights set forth in the African Charter. The second half of the agenda will be dedicated to hearing reports by the Commission members and special mechanism mandate holders on their recent activities.
The ACPHR is composed of 11 experts elected by the African Union Assembly from candidates nominated by States Parties to the Charter. The Commission is tasked with protecting, promoting, and interpreting the rights contained in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. [ACHPR]
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
The IACHR’s 149th Session will be held in Washington, D.C. from October 24 to November 8. From October 28 through November 1, the IACHR will conduct public hearings concerning individual cases and specific human rights topics, including the situation of detainees at Guantanamo Naval Base (United States), violence against trans people in El Salvador, social protest in Colombia, and the human rights defenders in Brazil. [IACHR] Other, particularly timely thematic hearings will focus on domestic communications surveillance in the United States, the “Ladies in White” of Cuba, and the rights of Haitian migrants. The IACHR will also hold hearings on areas of concern across the Americas, such as impunity for grave human rights violations, reproductive rights and emergency contraception, and the human rights situation of refugees. See the full agenda here. All of the public hearings will be webcastlive and will be made available as video and audio recordings
The IACHR is an independent organ of the Organization of American States (“OAS”) consisting of seven independent members. To uphold its mission to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere, the IACHR decides individual petitions, monitors State compliance with human rights standards, and holds thematic hearings. [OAS]
European Committee of Social Rights
From October 21 to 25, the European Committee of Social Rights will be holding its 267th Session. During its sessions, the Committee examines collective complaints and considers States’ reports on their compliance with the European Social Charter in law and in practice. The Committee, a group of 15 independent experts, evaluates States’ conformity with their Charter obligations through its decisions on complaints and its Conclusions regarding State reports.
For more information on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, or European Committee of Social Rights, visit the IJRC website.