In recent years, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has begun to establish special mechanisms to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the IACHR regarding specific situations—a novel practice in the field of international human rights law. The successful initiative of the Follow-Up Mechanism to the Ayotzinapa Case (MESA), adopted in relation to Mexico, is an example in this regard. Special follow-up mechanisms facilitate a more holistic analysis of the decisions and recommendations of the IACHR, provide public exposure and shine the spotlight on the case or situation, and permit the IACHR to conduct systematic and periodic monitoring of the issue, which results in a more in-depth and focused follow-up effort by the Commission.

Honduras Special Technical Advisory Board (MESAT)

The Special Technical Advisory Board of Honduras for compliance with human rights recommendations (MESAT) was installed in November 2019 for a period of one year, after the follow-up visit made by the IACHR to the State of Honduras on the 22nd to May 24, 2019, and the publication of the report "Situation of Human Rights in Honduras", on October 3 of the same year. The objective of the MESAT is to provide technical assistance to the State of Honduras for the development of tools that promote compliance with the recommendations made by the Inter-American Commission; monitor compliance with the recommendations issued in its Preliminary Observations and Country Reports; and provide technical advice to initiatives of law and public policies on human rights.

The work of the Technical Assistance Table is carried out in around five tables in populations initially identified as a priority by the State of Honduras: children, people with disabilities, human rights defenders, women, and the indigenous and Afro-descendant population in Honduras.

Special Follow-up Mechanism for Venezuela (MESEVE)

The Special Follow-up Mechanism for Venezuela (MESEVE) was installed on October 21, 2019, to strengthen the use of its protection and monitoring mechanisms and respond in a timely and effective manner to the new challenges required by the serious crisis of human rights in the country. The MESEVE is in charge of closely monitoring the political and social context of the State of Venezuela to evaluate requests for precautionary measures and follow up on those granted; prioritize the petitions received, as well as the preparation of reports on admissibility and merits, and the litigation of cases before the Inter-American Court; monitor the situation of Venezuelan migrants in various countries of the region; follow up on the recommendations made to the State by the IACHR; support the strengthening of civil society, and working with different mechanisms of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations (UN) to document the systematic violations of human rights in Venezuela.

For the development of its activities, MESEVE has the collaboration of different actors, mainly victims and their families, civil society organizations, UN bodies, the OAS, States, universities, and other organizations dedicated to the promotion and defense of human rights in Venezuela.

Special Follow-Up Team (ESE)

At the invitation of the Ecuadorian State, the IACHR formed a specialized follow-up team within the framework of the precautionary measure granted in favor of Javier Ortega Reyes and Paúl Rivas Bravo, journalists from the El Comercio newspaper, and Efraín Segarra April, an employee of the newspaper. The Special Monitoring Team (ESE), whose mandate was defined by the IACHR in Resolution 54/2018 of July 17, 2018, is comprised of Commissioner Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitiño, Rapporteur of the IACHR for Ecuador, the technical team of the Precautionary Measures Section and the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression. The ESE was officially constituted on July 25, 2018, and its functions are to accompany the families of the victims and to technically support the investigations carried out by the authorities and national institutions regarding the brutal murder of the journalistic team on the border between Ecuador and Colombia.

Special Follow-Up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI)

The Special Follow-Up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI) was installed in Managua on June 24, 2018, with the aim of following up on the recommendations of the IACHR issued in the context of its visit to Nicaragua, including the Commission’s Preliminary Observations and its report “Serious human rights violations in the context of social protests in Nicaragua”; of monitoring the human rights situation in Nicaragua in accordance with the IACHR’s mandate; of monitoring compliance with the precautionary measures granted in this context in favor of people whose lives or physical integrity is in serious danger; of assisting the Verification and Security Commission established in the National Dialogue Agreement; and of developing the capacities and to provide training on international human rights standards to Nicaraguan civil society.

Access the webpage of the Special Follow-Up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI)

Working Group on the Implementation of Human Rights Policies in the Dominican Republic

In its 2017 Annual Report, the Commission announced the creation of the Working Group on the Implementation of Human Rights Policies in the Dominican Republic to move towards the implementation of human rights policies in the country, which is based on a proposal presented by the State. 

The Working Group inserts itself in the context of following up on the recommendations issued by the IACHR in its 2015 country report and in Chapter IV.B of its 2016 Annual Report. The Working Group covers 12 issues relating to commitments on acquiring citizenship, migration, policies to combat all forms of discrimination, and policies on women’s rights and gender equality.
 
The First Working Group was held on July 24 and 25, 2018, in Washington, DC; the Second Working Group took place on November 20 and 21 in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.