IACHR Adopts Resolution on Archiving Inactive Petitions in the Initial Review Stage

December 19, 2023

The Inter-American Commission adopted Resolution No. 1/23 on the Definitive Archiving of Inactive Petitions, in which it decided to archive inactive petitions in the initial review stage.

This decision is the result of Resolution No. 1/22, and the efforts made by the IACHR in Program 1 of the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan on Streamlining processes and progressive reduction of the procedural backlog.

In Resolution No. 1/22 of January 19, 2022, on the Archiving of Inactive Petitions, the Commission warned of the possibility of archiving the petitions listed in the annex thereto, once the deadline set had expired, in accordance with Article 42, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure.

Subsequently, after a thorough verification of the supposed lack of response, with the publication of Resolution No. 1/23, the Inter-American Commission formally notified the petitioner of the decision to close in each of the 3,327 inactive petitions, included in the Annex attached to the Resolution.

The procedural practice of archiving preemptively ends the processing of a petition or case brought before the Commission, pursuant to the provisions of Article 42 of the Rules of Procedure. Decisions to archive are adopted by the IACHR and are final, except in the circumstances provided for in Article 42, paragraph 3, of the Rules of Procedure, which allow for the review said decision.

A principal, autonomous body of the OAS, the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

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. 302/23

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