During the 41st General Assembly of the Organization of American States, currently underway in El Salvador, the OAS Member States elected three new commissioners to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. [CEJIL] The three new members are Tracy Robinson of Jamaica, Rosa Maria Ortiz of Paraguay and Rosa-Mary Bella Antoine of Belize. These new commissions will begin their four-year terms
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Canadian and U.S. Indigenous Communities Seek Protection of Land and Water Rights before IACHR
In Canada, the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group – a group of First Nations communities in British Columbia – has requested precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking to stop the sale of their historic land to the provincial and Canadian governments by a logging corporation. [Canada.com; Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group] The request alleges that the Canadian government has failed
Read moreU.S. and Brazil Reaffirm Commitment to Combating Discrimination
According to a fact sheet released by the U.S. Department of State earlier this month, President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff “reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on the U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and Promote Equality” during Obama’s recent visit to Brazil. The Joint Action Plan, launched in 2008, commits both governments to sharing
Read moreVenezuelan Students End Hunger Strike As Government Agrees to Fund Universities
Venezuelan students have apparently ended their month-long hunger strike, which drew attention to imminent funding shortages at public universities, following the government’s promise to increase university budgets. [Yahoo] Just last week, four students sewed their mouths partially shut in protest. [Impunity Watch] Over two dozen public universities were reportedly on the verge of running out of money to run cafeterias
Read moreIACHR to Begin Hearings Today – Rights of Women, Indigenous Communities, Sexual Minorities and Human Rights Defenders on Today's Agenda
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights begins holding hearings today in its 141st Period of Sessions. The forty-four scheduled hearings will be held on March 25 (today), 28 and 29 at the OAS General Secretariat Building at 1889 F Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C. and are open to the public (with the exception of two closed hearings on Venezuela). No
Read moreNew Convictions against Army Commander and Provincial Police Chief in 'Dirty War' Prosecutions
Ex Commander of the Third Corps of the Army, Luciano Menéndez, and former Chief of Police for the province of Tucumán, Roberto Albornoz, were sentenced to life imprisonment by a federal court in Tucumán, Argentina on Wednesday for their role in the extrajudicial executions of five suspected Montonero militants in May of 1976. [Tucumán Noticias; Clarín; RNW] This is Menéndez’ sixth
Read moreIACHR Takes Dominican Republic to the Inter-American Court in Guayabín Massacre Case
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights announced last week that it has filed an application with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the case of Nadege Dorzema et al. v. Dominican Republic (Case No. 12.688). The case centers around the June 17, 2000 deaths and detention of a group of Haitians and one Dominican citizen at the hands of
Read moreRecent ECHR Decisions Highlight Continued Problem of Impunity
Situations of impunity arise when a State fails to adequately investigate and prosecute serious crimes affecting individuals’ human rights. In many countries in the world, a lack of sufficient resources or training, attacks against law enforcement and the judiciary, discriminatory attitudes and/or official corruption contribute to high levels of impunity – such as in Guatemala, where an estimated 98% of
Read moreLori Berenson's Release on Parole Upheld in Peru
Lori Berenson’s release from prison on parole has been upheld by a Peruvian appellate court, following an appeal by the prosecutor, which sought to require her to spend the final five years of her sentence in prison. [Jurist] Berenson’s parole was revoked when authorities failed to confirm Berenson’s address, but her release was ordered again three months later. The prosecutor
Read moreFollowing Return from Exile, Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier Facing Criminal and Civil Liability for Fraud and Human Rights Abuses
Following the unexpected return of former Haitian dictator Jean-Claude (“Baby Doc”) Duvalier to Port-au-Prince earlier this month after 25 years in exile, the former President for Life is facing criminal prosecution on fraud charges and several civil suits alleging human rights abuses and crimes against humanity, committed during his 15-year rule. [Democracy Now!; Guardian] Calls for Duvalier’s prosecution came as soon as
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