» Rules of Procedure of the Inter-American Juridical Committee

CHAPTER VI

SEAT AND MEETINGS

Article 13: The Committee has its seat in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It may hold meetings in any other place in Brazil, or in the territory of any other Member State, with the affirmative vote of at least six of its members. In these cases, it shall make the pertinent arrangements through the General Secretariat to obtain agreement of the Member State concerned, taking into account also the provisions of article 17 of the Statutes.

Article 14: The total duration of the regular meetings may not exceed three months each year, in two separate periods.

 The two regular meetings that the Committee holds during each fiscal year shall take place at the start and middle of each year at dates set by the Committee during the preceding meeting, notwithstanding the provisions of article 20 of the Statutes.[4]

Article 15: At the beginning of a regular meeting, the Committee shall add to the agenda prepared prior to the close of the preceding regular meeting the new matters that may have been assigned to it, after approval of the agenda, by the General Assembly, the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, or the Councils of the Organization. In this case the provisions of article 4 of these Rules of Procedure shall be taken into account.

 To include a new matter on its own initiative or to eliminate a matter previously included also on its own initiative, the Committee shall decide the question by the affirmative vote of at least six of its members.

Article 16: To extend the regular meeting beyond the date originally established for its closing shall require the affirmative vote of at least six of its members.

 The total annual extension may not exceed ten days. The provisions of article 17 of the Statutes shall be taken into account whenever an extension would cause the period of three months established in article 15 of the Statutes to be exceeded.

Article 17: The Committee shall hold a special meeting:

 a) When it is convoked by the General Assembly or by the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs;

 b) By its own decision during the course of a regular meeting by the affirmative vote of at least six of its members, in view of the importance and urgency of the matter or matters to be examined;

 c) During a recess of the Committee, at the request of one or more of its members. In this case, the chairman shall consult immediately with the other members, and once the agreement of at least six of its members has been obtained by the procedure of vote by telegram, he shall proceed to convoke it through the General Secretariat of the Organization.

 Article 17 of the Statutes shall be taken into account in the case listed in paragraphs b) and c) of this article.

Article 18: At a special meeting only the matters indicated in the notice of convocation shall be considered.

Article 19: When the Committee decides to meet away from its seat, or to hold special meetings in accordance with the procedure established in paragraphs b) and c) of articles 17 of these Rules of Procedure, or to engage in any other activity involving expenditures greater that those budgeted, it shall request the Secretary General to take the necessary measures to provide the funds required, in accordance with the financial and budgetary regulations in force.

 The request shall include an explanation of the need and an estimate of the amount required.

Article 20: The Secretary General of the Organization, or his representative, may participate with voice but without vote in the discussions of the Committee and of the subcommittees and working groups that may be established.

[4]. Amendment approved by resolution CJI/RES.06(I-0/87), dated February 4, 1987.