(E-130/01)
June 18, 2001
SANTIAGO CANTON IS NAMED NEW EXECUTIVE
SECRETARY OF THE
INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The Secretary General of the Organization
of American States (OAS), C�sar Gaviria, today announced the appointment of Dr. Santiago
Canton, an Argentine national, as the new Executive Secretary of the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
The appointment of the present Special
Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression followed a special meeting on June 14 and 15 at which
the IACHR examined the backgrounds of the candidates and met personally with each of them.
After a fruitful process of discussion and preliminary voting, the Commission decided by
consensus to recommend Dr. Canton for the post of Executive Secretary.
With a law degree from the University of
Buenos Aires and postgraduate studies at the Washington College of Law, the new Executive
Secretary of the IACHR has a recognized track record in the field of human rights and the
promotion of democracy. He has earned distinction over recent years for his development of
the office of the Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression and its impact in the Hemisphere.
In its proposal, the IACHR said his
appointment would represent a further step toward strengthening the inter-American system
for the promotion and protection of human rights in the Hemisphere.
The new Executive Secretary of the IACHR
will take office this August, replacing Dr. Jorge Taiana.
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