IACHR Extends Invitation to Participate in Ex Officio Public Hearings at the 189th Period of Sessions

January 25, 2024

Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) invites civil society organizations, institutions, and interested individuals to register to participate in the ex officio public hearings that will be held in person from February 26 to March 1, 2024, during the 189th Period of Sessions.

These hearings will address the following issues at the regional level:

1. The current status of judicial independence

The public hearing "The current status of judicial independence" will be held on February 28 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST) to gather information related with the progress and challenges in the selection and appointment processes; length of mandates; stability of positions and affirmative action on gender parity of senior authorities of law enforcement and administration bodies.

2. The situation of human rights defenders

This hearing will be held on February 29 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST). Its purpose is to gather information through a differential and intersectional approach to understand the current situation in which human rights defenders carry out their work. It seeks to identify the main risks and threats arising from their advocacy work and the challenges they face in obtaining effective protection. It also examines the positive measures taken by States to guarantee the rights of human rights defenders.

3. The human rights situation of older people

This hearing will be held on March 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EST) to gather information on the progress made and ongoing challenges around implementing the Inter-American Convention on the Protection of the Human Rights of Older Persons in the domestic law of the States parties to the Convention, namely Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay.

To participate in any of the public hearings mentioned in this press release, please register using the online system (available in Spanish and English) until February 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. (Washington, D.C., time) In accordance with Article 66 of the Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, interested parties must provide their identification data and justify their reasons for wishing to take part in the hearings.

The Inter-American Commission shall notify in a timely manner the list of organizations, institutions, and persons summoned to participate in each hearing. In addition, those who are not summoned are invited to submit written documentation and information that they consider relevant to the topics of the hearings.

The IACHR will announce the list of organizations, institutions, and individuals invited to participate in each hearing in due course. Those who do not receive invitations will be asked to submit written documentation and information that they consider relevant to the topics of the hearings.

The public hearings will be held in person in Washington, D.C. Interpretation services will be provided in Spanish/English and English/Spanish, and the hearings will be recorded for the purposes outlined in the Rules of Procedure.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 021/24

5:45 PM