Tag Archive for: IACHR

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The Inter-American Commission presents its annual report 2018

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) presented its Annual Report 2018 at the end of last month, in which it reports the work carried out throughout the year. This report constitutes the main instrument of accountability of the IACHR, as well as monitoring the human rights situation in the region and following up on its recommendations.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

Chapter IV consists of a descriptive panorama on the situation of human rights in the member countries, with a special emphasis on the rights and issues prioritized by the IACHR, as well as on transversal axes of Democratic Institutionality, Institutionality in Human Rights, Access to Justice and Citizen Security; and Right to the Environment.

Together with lawyers from the Argentine Northwest on Human Rights and Social Studies (ANDHES), we presented a shadow report on these axes in December of the last year in the subjects we work on.

In the report for Argentina, the Commission took the matters reported in the shadow report. In the general considerations, it paid particular attention to the concern shown regarding the bill on collective processes; the situation of the right to protest; mobilizations regarding the debate regarding access to women’s sexual and reproductive rights, as well as possible reforms that would restrict the scope of the sex education law. Reference is also made to the clashes between public authorities and indigenous communities; the economic and financial situation in general and its possible impact on human rights, and in particular. Special considerations were made about the situation of poverty that affects children; the appointment of a child advocate that is still pending; expulsions of migrants; and the conditions of detention that prevail in police stations.

In turn, regarding issues related to human rights institutions, the IACHR highlighted our concern about the lack of nomination of a titular person in the Office of the Ombudsman of the Nation, a position that remains vacant since 2009. He also collected our concern about the economic and financial situation of the country and its effects on institutions regarding the allocation of resources and the functioning of the various State entities responsible for the protection of human rights.

Regarding access to justice, the Commission took note of the concern we expressed regarding the Collective Processes Bill prepared by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights of the Nation, which, if successful, could seriously limit the use and effectiveness of collective actions, by restricting the possibility of suing the State and companies in defense of collective rights.

Regarding the situation of women’s rights, the IACHR welcomed the approval of the protocol for the investigation and litigation of femicides in Argentina, celebrated the approval and entry into force of Law No. 27,452 “Brisa Law” that grants economic reparations to sons and daughters of victims of femicide in Argentina and welcomed the approval of the “Micaela Law”, which aims to train officials in gender violence.

However, the Commission stated that “it has continued to monitor the various obstacles that women, girls and adolescents continue to face in the exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the mobilization and legislative debate to exercise them. “In addition, he pointed out that” given the resurgence of the debate on the reform of the Sexual Education Law (Law No. 6,150), proposals have also emerged to revise and reform it, some of which would have the purpose of limiting its scope and eliminating mentions dedicated to diversity of gender and sexual diversity, topics that are follow-up by the Commission in order to ensure that the reviews are carried out in line with the inter-American standards on the matter. ”

With respect to the right to the environment, the Commission stated that the State informed it about a National Plan of Action to Combat Desertification and that the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Nation has developed several communication channels within the framework of the National Law No. 25,831 in order to guarantee the right of access to environmental information. He also indicated that “the National Strategy for Environmental Education is being developed, a public policy that guides the bases for the construction of intersectoral programs in the theme to promote the action of individuals, groups and society as a whole for environmental care in its entirety. He also indicated that a National Cabinet on Climate Change has been formed, which is currently working on the articulation of mitigation and adaptation measures on the implementation of the National Determined Contributions of the country. Finally, there is also the generation of indicators for the management of biosphere reserves and private initiatives for the conservation of biodiversity. ”

Nonetheless, the IACHR was alerted to the use of agrochemicals, which is one of the most worrisome issues for the country, particularly because of the harmful effects on the lungs and skin; as well as the increase of conditions such as depression, seizures, immune and endocrine disorders. Inclusive attention was drawn to the increase in the number of people with cancer in the Cordovan town of Monte Maíz in the fumigation season.

For its part, the Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Commission presented its own report, highlighting the main data collected as concerns, regarding the situation of the DESCA considered in its generality in all the countries of the region. There, the Rapporteurship mentions again the situations reported in the shadow report related to the right to the environment and the right to health, particularly sexual and reproductive rights.

We celebrate the conclusions prepared by the IACHR and the Rapporteurship on DESCA and that have echoed the reports sent from civil society. We hope that the State has appropriated these recommendations and incorporates them in its design of public policies to improve the human rights situation in our country.

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We present a report to the IACHR on the rights of the elderly

In the framework of the public consultation carried out by the Unit on the Rights of Older Persons of the IACHR, Fundeps, together with other civil society organizations, presented a report on national systems for the protection of the rights of older persons at the beginning of this year. the elderly in America.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

In its 2017-2021 Strategic Plan, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights prioritized the theme of the elderly. To that end, it considered it necessary to identify synergies to advance in the construction of inter-American standards in this area, as well as the development of new working mechanisms, especially to promote the ratification and implementation of the Inter-American Convention on the Protection of Human Rights. Humans of the Elderly and make visible the situation of this population group.

For this reason, in order to prepare a regional report on the rights of older persons, he called for sending information from the member states of the Organization of American States on national systems for the protection of the rights of older persons. America.

The report was presented by Fundeps, the Inter-American Heart Foundation Argentina (FIC Argentina), the Commission specializing in the Rights of Older Adults of the Bar Association of the Province of Córdoba, the Center for Research in the Law of Old Age -National University of Rosario -, the Permanent Seminar on Research on the Law of Old Age -University of Buenos Aires-, the Research Institute on the Law of Elderly and Disability -Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires and the Master’s program in Law de la Vejez -Universidad Nacional de Córdoba.

It made explicit the norms and programs that recognize or develop the rights of the elderly in Argentina, making special mention of the Province of Córdoba. Some of the obstacles and challenges for the protection of the rights of the elderly were highlighted, such as: the absence of intersectoral and articulated policies for the promotion of physical activity, the absence of human rights perspective in the regulations of the residences of long stay, the lack of publicity of the residences of long stay enabled.

Likewise, the report included the identification of the institutions and competency frameworks in the promotion of physical activity for the elderly and long-stay residences and the survey of a good practice at the local level -Córdoba- as is the development of the action research project on access to justice for vulnerable sectors – Project AJuV-, carried out through the Office of Human Rights and Justice of the Judicial Branch of Córdoba, from which contextual action strategies are developed to guarantee the effective access to justice for the elderly.

Finally, emphasis was placed on the absence of mechanisms for data collection and analysis of information regarding older persons and the need to have indicators to measure the results of the (few) public policies implemented, in order to monitor and assess progress and challenges.

In this way, the report gives an account – partially – of the situation of the rights of older persons in Argentina, revealing the regulatory insufficiency in an integral manner and the situation of vulnerability to which the elderly are exposed in the country, making it essential to have public policies with a focus on prioritization and inclusion in order to avoid non-compliance with international standards assumed by the Argentine State.

More information

Author

Laura Alesso

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, <agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org>

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Report to the IACHR on the protection of the rights of the elderly

In the framework of the public consultation carried out by the Unit on the Rights of Older Persons of the IACHR, Fundeps, together with other civil society organizations, presented a report on national systems for the protection of the rights of older persons at the beginning of this year. the elderly in America.

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Climate change and human rights: request for a thematic hearing before the IACHR

Together with organizations with a history in the defense of human rights and the environment of Latin America and the Caribbean, we request a thematic hearing before the IACHR regarding the violation of human rights in the context of climate change in the region. In Cordoba, the cycles of floods and droughts are aggravated by the lack of planning and coordination of policies that take into account the effects of climate change.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

On March 5 different organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean, including FUNDEPS, sent a request to the Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Dr. Paulo Abrão, to hold a thematic hearing, general and regional scope, on the impacts of climate change and its impact on the enjoyment of human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The thematic hearings are spaces that are granted to civil society to deal with matters of interest in the region. The petitioners can make recommendations to the IACHR so that the latter may then develop them. Although the recommendations made by the IACHR are not binding, they are usually used and taken into account by judges and authorities when deciding a specific matter; for this reason they acquire so much relevance.

The hearing was petitioned jointly with various civil organizations from several countries in the region such as the Mexican Center for Environmental Law – CEMDA – (Mexico), the Honduran Alliance against Climate Change, Due Process of Law Foundation – DPLF – (Regional ), the Inter-American Association for the Defense of the Environment -AIDA- (Regional), EarthRights International (International), the Pachamama Foundation (Ecuador), the Center for Law, Justice and Society Studies – Dejusticia- (Colombia), lFiscalía del Medio Environment – FIMA – (Chile), Center for Legal and Social Studies – CELS – (Argentina), CONECTAS (Brazil), Engajamundo (Brazil) and the Legal Defense Institute – IDL – (Peru). They have a great track record for the work they do in the region, specifically in relation to the defense of human rights and the environment. Through this request, we seek to share and combat our concern about the negative effects that climate change is already inflicting on the present and its projection in the future.

The main purpose of the thematic hearing is to transmit to the IACHR, relevant and up-to-date information regarding the role played by climate change and the measures designed to combat it, in the enjoyment of the human rights recognized by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Implications of climate change in the region

The effects of climate change are deployed throughout the world, overwhelmingly breaking social and ecological systems, generating a detriment in the enjoyment of a range of internationally recognized human rights such as the rights to life, physical health and mental, to food, water and sanitation, to adequate housing, to self-determination, among others. Added to this, it provokes a deepening of the pre-existing socio-economic vulnerabilities and differences in historically disadvantaged countries and groups.

Specifically in the case of the Americas and the Caribbean, this becomes more evident when there are currently several million people living in the path of hurricanes and low-lying coastal areas, which makes them victims of sea level rise. , storm surges and coastal floods. Even more so considering that several countries have a large proportion of their urban population living in areas less than five meters above sea level. As temperatures continue to rise, so does the risk of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, aggravated by poor water and housing conditions, thus affecting the right to health of the population.

In addition, the rural poor in general, and indigenous groups, in particular, are especially vulnerable to climate change due to their dependence on small-scale agriculture and natural resources. Additionally, climate change differentially impacts more women. Indeed, the analysis of population censuses of natural disasters in 141 countries showed that “although catastrophes cause suffering to everyone, on average, they produce more fatalities among women than men, or they take the lives of more young women than men. “

In the case of Argentina, and more precisely in Córdoba, the cycles of floods and droughts caused by climate change are aggravated by the lack of planning and coordination of policies to combat their effects. In 2015, this situation led to the floods produced in almost all the towns of the Sierras Chicas, causing all kinds of damage – structural housing, economic and health – many still unsolved and, what is even more serious, the loss of human lives.

Adaptation and mitigation measures are not enough

The States of the region have adopted numerous measures in order to reduce the adverse effects of climate change. These are the so-called “mitigation and adaptation” measures; the first, referring to the intervention of man in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, and the second, those that seek to moderate or avoid damage or take advantage of beneficial opportunities. The problem that arises with such measures is that in many cases they also violate or negatively affect the enjoyment of certain human rights, such as those that limit access to and use of natural resources, such as land, water and water. forests.

Por este motivo es que, luego de la entrada en vigor del Acuerdo de París (2016), todas las medidas que los Estados adopten deben “respetar, proteger y considerar sus respectivas obligaciones en materia de derechos humanos” y, en particular, “el derecho a la salud, los derechos de los pueblos indígenas, las comunidades locales, los migrantes, los niños, las personas con discapacidad y las personas en situación de vulnerabilidad y el derecho al desarrollo, así como la igualdad de género, el empoderamiento de las mujeres y la equidad intergeneracional”.

With an eye on the Framework Convention on Climate Change

If the request for a thematic hearing is approved, it will be held during the 172nd period of sessions of the IACHR, between May 2 and May 10, 2019 in Kingston, Jamaica. In addition, the following Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC will take place in Santiago, Chile at the end of 2019, making the thematic hearing a preamble as a multi-stakeholder dialogue addressing this issue from human rights and with a regional perspective . Contributing thus to an articulation of themes conducive to the same objective: sustainable development with a focus on rights.

This new global context, where climate change is an unprecedented challenge, requires the IACHR’s innovative agency to set the standards and standards necessary for the States of the continent to advance at an accelerated pace towards a future with a safe level of greenhouse gases, allowing climate stability and with fully guaranteed rights.

As global warming continues to rise, basic human rights are at risk, affecting not only the present generations, but especially the generations to come. For all these reasons, and bearing in mind that the IACHR is the body in charge of the promotion and protection of human rights in the region, we consider it fundamental that the request for a thematic hearing presented be considered.

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Solicitud de audiencia temática ante la CIDH

Author

Ananda Lavayen

Contact

María Pérez Alsina – mariaperezalsina@fundeps.org

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We present a report on the human rights situation in Argentina before the IACHR

On October 30, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) published a communiqué inviting civil society organizations and other interested social actors of the Organization of American States (OAS) to send information on the situation. of human rights in the region. This information will be used for the preparation of chapter IV A of the annual report of the IACHR corresponding to the year 2018 that will be presented to the General Assembly of the OAS.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

Descargar Documento / Download File
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We present a report on the human rights situation in Argentina before the IACHR

On October 30, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) published a communiqué inviting civil society organizations and other interested social actors of the Organization of American States (OAS) to send information on the situation. of human rights in the region. This information will be used for the preparation of chapter IV A of the annual report of the IACHR corresponding to the year 2018 that will be presented to the General Assembly of the OAS.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

Each year, the Commission produces an annual report on the human rights situation in the region, reflecting the trends, challenges, advances and good practices that have occurred in the area of ​​human rights in the OAS member states during the year.

For the Annual Report of 2018, the Commission will emphasize the following axes: Democratic Institutionalization, Institutionality in Human Rights, Access to Justice, Citizen Security and Right to the Environment.

Together with lawyers and lawyers from the Argentine Northwest on Human Rights and Social Studies (ANDHES) we present a report on these axes in the areas we work on:

Institutionality in human rights

1. Hierarchical reduction of National Ministries of Environment, Culture, Health, Labor and Modernization and Communication
2. National Budget 2019
3. Comprehensive Sexual Education Law in danger

Access to justice

1. Preoccupation with the draft bill on collective processes
2. Access to the right to abortion in Argentina – Delay of justice in the case of Portal de Belén (by non-punishable abortion protocol in the province of Córdoba)
3. Access to justice for the elderly

Citizen security

1. Institutional Violence in Tucumán
2. Absence of mechanisms to prevent torture in Tucumán

Right to the Environment

1. Affectations to the right to health caused by the use of agrochemicals
2. Concern over project to amend the seed law
3. Failure to comply with the consultation and free, prior and informed consent of provincial law No. 5,915 to the detriment of the environment and the right to life and territory of indigenous communities in Jujuy.
4. Chinchillas Mining Project and the Pozuelos Lagoon in Jujuy
5. The indigenous community of Solco Yampa and the indiscriminate felling of trees in the province of Tucumán
6. Murder of Javier Chocobar in Tucumán

The cases presented in this report give an account of a general situation of regression of the fulfillment of human rights by the Argentine State. The exposed situations of vulnerability are particularly worrisome because they are part of a regional socio-political crisis context. In order to avoid the impact of cuts, the noncompliance with international standards and the promotion of public policies that do not attack the roots of structural inequality impact fully on the populations that are already in a situation of vulnerability, we ask the IACHR to publicly express concern about the state of compliance with human rights in the country.

More information

Contact

Mayca Balaguer, maycabalaguer@fundeps.org

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HLAC presented a report to the IACHR on HR and companies

Report prepared by the Healthy Latin American Coalition (CLAS) was presented in the framework of a public consultation opened by the Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), with the to prepare a thematic report on inter-American standards in the area of ​​business and human rights.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

The growing number of cases of human rights abuses and violations committed by companies has led to the treatment of the problem by the international community for some years now. In this context and within the framework of the inter-American system, the IACHR considered gathering information from different interested parties for the purpose of preparing a report that considers the regional reality, and that analyzes and systematizes the inter-American obligations and standards, in order to finally make recommendations on the matter.

Report presented by CLAS, a network that groups around 300 organizations in Latin America of which FUNDEPS is a part, focuses specifically on analyzing the link between companies and chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Thus, first, the report provides information on the impact of these diseases in the region, with special mention to the involvement of vulnerable groups. Secondly, the power of influence of companies in the process of formulation of norms and public policies is analyzed, as an obstacle when adopting, executing and advancing in health policies to prevent and reduce the impact of chronic noncommunicable diseases. . In this regard, the cases of the tobacco industry, the food industry and the alcoholic beverage industry are cited as examples.

The document also warns that the current regulations and action plans sanctioned by governments focus on the prevention of the risk factors of these diseases, without including a more general perspective on human rights and companies. It observes that only some countries have made slight progress in this regard, despite the fact that international evidence shows that the most effective measures to reduce the consumption of unhealthy products are those that control the actions of the companies that manufacture and promote these products; especially in relation to marketing and promotion strategies.

Beyond the efforts of Latin American governments to move forward with legislation for the prevention of NCDs, the intervention of companies in the design and implementation of public policies, as well as the lobby of the industry, constitute a great obstacle to effective implementation of norms that prevent the population from the health consequences of consuming unhealthy products.

Currently, at the international level, there are non-binding instruments and mechanisms that aim to protect human rights from the irresponsible actions of companies. These include: the United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD guidelines and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. Similarly, the work of the IACHR has focused on the search for the prevalence of fundamental rights against the power of corporations; and that is why this thematic report takes on a fundamental character. In this context, also, in the last three years, at the initiative of some States, it has begun to debate the possibility of having an international treaty that effectively forces companies to comply with and guarantee respect for human rights. We believe that an instrument with these characteristics would reinforce the existing regulations, while at the same time ending the abuses perpetrated.

More information

Report presented by CLAS

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, <agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org>

Regional thematic hearing of the IACHR in the fulfillment of the DESCA

We will be participating in one of the public hearings convened by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to be held on March 17, 18, 20, 21 and 22 in Washington.

In the context of public hearings, the one that summons us is about “Right of access to information relevant to the enforceability of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights”. This was requested from the IACHR in conjunction with organizations in the region, such as Fundación Construir (Bolivia); Institute of Legal and Social Studies of Uruguay (Ielsur, Uruguay); Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information (Uruguay); ARTICLE 19 (Brazil); Center for Archives and Access to Public Information (CAinfo, Uruguay); Fundar – Analysis and Research Center (Mexico); And Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ, Argentina).

The hearing we will participate in will expose to the Inter-American System of Human Rights (IACHR) the need to consolidate standards regarding production and access to information that allow progress towards the effective implementation and enforceability of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights DESCA). There are international and regional commitments in this area that show clear obligations with respect to production and access to information, which are necessary in order to advance the enforceability and exercise of these rights. However, in the countries of the region there are serious failures to comply.

Several international agencies have not found necessary information to determine whether DESCAs are respected in the countries of the region. Specifically, they have noted deficiencies related to the collection and systematization of information on the exercise of the rights to education, employment, health and social security of women; Children and adolescents; People with disabilities; Indigenous peoples; Afro-descendants and migrant workers and their families. In this same line, they have stated that it is a state obligation to produce information from which it is possible to validate indicators and, in general, access to many of the guarantees covered by each social right.

Argentina and Cordoba are no exception in this regard. The case of contamination by the Bajo Grande WWTP plant, which affects the Chacras de la Merced community, is a clear example of human rights violations aggravated by the lack of access to information. The State does not provide data on levels of air and soil pollution, nor does it provide information on health effects to the people of the neighborhood, mainly women and children. In this way, the enforceability of the rights of the people affected is hampered.

That is why it is fundamental to strengthen the implementation of standards around the scope of state obligations of production, availability and timely access to information on DESCA. The latter, in addition to being essential for the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies, makes it possible to strengthen the demand strategies of civil society, generating the conditions for many violations of rights to be repaired.

We invite you to follow the live broadcast through the official website of the IACHR.

More information

Contact

Juan Carballo – juanmcarballo@fundeps.org

Débora Fernandez

We participated in the regional hearing of the IACHR in pursuit of compliance with the DESCA

We were part of one of the public hearings convened by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), held on March 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 of the current day in Washington.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic.”

In the framework of public hearings, the one that calls us is about “Right to access relevant information for the enforceability of economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.” This was requested from the IACHR in conjunction with organizations in the region such as Fundación Construir (Bolivia); Institute of Legal and Social Studies of Uruguay (Ielsur, Uruguay); Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information (Uruguay); ARTICLE 19 (Brazil); Archives Center and Access to Public Information (CAinfo, Uruguay); Fundar – Analysis and Research Center (Mexico); and Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ, Argentina).

The audience of which we were a part, exposed to the Inter-American System of Human Rights (SIDH) the need to consolidate standards regarding production and access to information that allow progress towards the effective implementation and enforceability of economic, social, cultural and environmental (DESCA). There are international and regional commitments in this area that show clear obligations regarding production and access to information, which are necessary to comply with the requirements to enforce and exercise these rights. However, in the countries of the region there are serious shortcomings in their compliance.

Several international organizations have not found the necessary information to be able to determine if DESCA are respected in the countries of the region. Specifically, they have noted deficiencies related to the collection and systematization of information on the exercise of women’s rights to education, employment, health and social security; children and adolescents; People with disabilities; indigenous Afro-descendants and migrant workers and their families. In this same line, is that they have specified that it is a state obligation to produce information from which the validation of indicators is possible and, in general, access to many of the guarantees covered by each social right.

Argentina and Cordoba are not the exception in this aspect. The case of contamination by the Bajo Grande WWTP plant, which affects the Chacras de la Merced community, is a clear example of the human rights violations aggravated by the deficiency in access to information. The State does not provide data on the levels of air and soil pollution, as well as the information collected on the effects on the health of the people of the neighborhood, mainly women and children. In this way, obstacles to the enforceability of the rights of the people affected are placed.

That is why it is fundamental to strengthen the implementation of standards around the scope of the state obligations of production, availability and timely access to information on DESCA. The latter, in addition to being essential for the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies, allows strengthening the enforceability strategies of civil society, generating the conditions for many violations of rights to be repaired.

More information

Contact

Juan Carballo – juanmcarballo@fundeps.org

Participation in the strategic planning of the IACHR

On February 10, we participated in the consultation process opened by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to civil society organizations in Washington, DC. This is done in the framework of the implementation of its strategic planning for the period 2017-2020.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

During the first part of the day, the space was allocated to the organizations present to give their position on the human rights challenges to be taken into account for the coming years. Among the topics mentioned are the rights of migrants, women, LGTBIQ people, people with disabilities, indigenous peoples. In the second part of the consultation, the objectives that the Commission drew up as a draft were revised by working groups.

The challenges we identify in the future for human rights in the region are related to economic, social, cultural and environmental rights (DESCA), which have been widely recognized as human rights but not sufficiently addressed by hemispheric bodies. Another important item on the agenda is access to information, fundamental for democratic systems, and declared as a human right related to freedom of expression by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Access to information is of the utmost importance since it has a direct impact on the exercise of other human rights, including DESCA.On the other hand, we highlight the link between human rights and companies, due to the growing tendency to capture corporations around the world. In this sense, States should play a greater role, avoiding giving in to self-regulation commitments of the private sector and the interference of companies in sensitive public policy sectors. To this end, initiatives should be promoted to increase the levels of accountability of the private sector, not forgetting the responsibility of States. Finally, we express our concern about the situation of human rights defenders, with Latin America being one of the most dangerous regions for this group and we have proposed instances of participation outside national capitals.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Americas. The processes for reviewing the agency’s activities, such as strategic planning, are of great relevance to the inter-American human rights system and the agenda of civil society on the continent.

More information

Intervention of FUNDEPS in the Strategic Plan process

Contact

Carolina Tamagnini – carotamagnini@fundeps.org