2023

Questionnaire on Poverty, Climate Change and DESCA in Central America and Mexico, in the Context of Human Mobility

The Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will prepare a thematic report on POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND DESCA IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND MEXICO, IN THE CONTEXT OF HUMAN MOBILITY. The objective of the report is to carry out a broad diagnosis of the reasons underlying human mobility in the subregion from the perspective of guaranteeing ESCR, with particular emphasis on the dimensions of poverty, inequality and climate change.

For the purposes of this report, the countries comprising Central America will be Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua. Mexico is also included due to its geographic proximity and geopolitical importance. For the purposes of this report, the phenomenon of human mobility will be analyzed in a comprehensive manner, i.e., covering the different forms of massive flows of people, whether by internal or cross-border displacement, without distinguishing the aspects that characterize each of the manifestations of mobility - migration, refuge, asylum, internal displacement, etc. - with respect to the scope and national and international protection of their human rights.

REDESCA invites interested individuals and institutions to submit their responses to this questionnaire with information on statistical data, regulatory framework, public policies, protection mechanisms, challenges and best practices, no later than April 30, 2023 .

Responses can be sent by email to the following address: [email protected] and include in the subject line of the email: “Questionnaire - Poverty, Climate Change and DESCA in Central America and Mexico, in the Context of Human Mobility”.

When annexes are submitted, they should be clearly identified and differentiated from the main document. Previously published reports may be submitted as annexes.



2022

Questionnaire on Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in the Inter-American Legal Framework of Human Rights

The Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (REDESCA) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will produce a thematic report on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Human Rights in the Inter-American System. The objective of the report is to establish the impact of NCDs on human rights in the region, and the implications of prevention and treatment in relation to the obligations of States in light of the Inter-American legal framework.

For the purposes of the report to be undertaken, NCDs will be defined as the group of diseases that are not primarily caused by an acute infection, and that result in long-term health consequences and often create a need for long-term treatment and care. NCDs include primarily cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic lung diseases and mental health conditions.

REDESCA invites interested individuals and institutions to submit their responses to this questionnaire with information on statistical data, regulatory framework, public policies, protection mechanisms, challenges and best practices by 28 February 2023 .

Responses can be sent by email to [email protected] and include in the subject line of the email: "Questionnaire - Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases and Human Rights".

The information sent in response to this questionnaire may refer to all or some of the items requested. The information can be submitted in Spanish, English, Portuguese or French. Please identify the numbers of questions to be answered in the document to be sent. Similarly, you are invited to respond directly to each of the questions asked by providing concrete and specific information on what you consider to be the most relevant, significant and/or pertinent.

When annexes are submitted, they should be clearly identified and differentiated from the main document. Previously published reports may be submitted as annexes.

Exceptionally, submissions will be accepted to the physical address of the Rapporteurship: 1889 F St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006.

Questionnaire on the Human Rights of Environmental Defenders in Countries in Northern Central America

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is working on a report on the human rights of environmental defenders in countries in northern Central America.

The aim of this report is to gather information concerning the situation of defenders of the environment, land, and natural resources in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

The document seeks to describe the main risks these individuals face, as well as the reasons and sources of any such risks. The report further intends to assess major progress and pending challenges in efforts to protect these environmental defenders and ensure that conditions are right for the defense of the environment. The report is also set to issue recommendations for States.

The IACHR invites States, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to make their contributions on the following topics:

  1. Causes and ways in which defenders stand up for the environment in northern Central American countries
  2. Main groups who are at risk due to their work in defense of environmental rights, and main risks individual environmental rights defenders face
  3. Types of attacks that have been seen against environmental rights defenders (threats, murders, criminalization, slander, etc.)—Disaggregate figures based on the type of aggression, the activity of the defender who was attacked, their gender, the geographical area, and the likely perpetrators
  4. Sources and origin of these risks, ties to development or extractive projects, and factors that affect risk persistence; existing context or structural conditions that affect the persistence of these risks in any given country
  5. Progress and challenges in efforts to mitigate and/or eradicate risks for environmental defenders—Highlight the main protection and prevention measures adopted by States in northern Central America
  6. Main factors that have led to the criminalization of environmental defenders in countries in northern Central America, and main crime or misdemeanor categories used to that effect—Mention specific cases, if known
  7. Obstacles that have been identified for the defense of the environment through judicial proceedings
  8. Progress made and pending challenges in efforts to fight impunity in cases involving environmental defenders in northern Central American countries—Include detailed information concerning the state of specific investigations, and any particular challenges that have been identified
  9. Suggestions and recommendations to achieve effective protection of environmental defenders in countries in northern Central America

This questionnaire can be partially or fully completed, depending on the available information. Research, reports, and other relevant pre-existing and/or published documents may also be submitted. The IACHR appreciates all contributions submitted as input for this report.

Questionnaire answers must be emailed to [email protected] . The email subject should say: “Environmental defenders in northern Central America”.

Information may be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, and/or Spanish. Please keep contributions concise and objective, and make sure they are based on verifiable sources and address events that have happened in the past 5 years.

Submission deadline : Midnight of February 12, 2022 (time in Washington, D.C.)



2021

Consultation on the Inter-American Principles on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights together with the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights (SRESCER) and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) invite the States Parties of the Organization of American States (OAS), civil society organizations, academics, international organizations and other relevant stakeholders to submit comments on the Inter-American Principles on Academic Freedom and University Autonomy.

The objective of the Inter-American Principles is to provide a tool that integrates the standards developed by the Inter-American Human Rights System concerning Academic Freedom and University Autonomy.

At the same time, this instrument seeks to serve as a frame of reference for OAS States Parties to take into consideration to ensure that their academic freedom laws, policies, and practices are in compliance with Inter-American human rights norms and standards.

For this purpose, the following web form has been enabled and will be available until November 12, 2021.

If you do not have access to the Internet, your comments on the draft of the Inter-American Principles can be sent via postal mail to the following address:

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
United States of America



2019

Cuestionario de consulta para la elaboración de un informe temático sobre los derechos económicos, sociales, culturales y ambientales de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes tribales en El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala y Nicaragua

La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH), en conjunto con su Relatoría Especial sobre los Derechos Económicos, Sociales, Culturales y Ambiental (REDESCA), invita a los Estados Partes de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), las organizaciones de la sociedad civil, la academia, organismos internacionales y otros actores relevantes a contribuir, a través de sus respuestas a este cuestionario de consulta, con la elaboración de un informe temático sobre la situación de los derechos económicos, sociales, culturales y ambientales (DESCA) de los pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes tribales en El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala y Nicaragua.

Este informe procura reunir información sobre el acceso a los DESCA de pueblos indígenas y afrodescendientes tribales, con el objetivo de identificar los principales desafíos para su efectiva realización a la luz de la normativa y los estándares interamericanos, así como promover acciones encaminadas a superar estos obstáculos.

El cuestionario puede contestarse de forma parcial o total. Además de la información solicitada, es deseable que se incluyan en el formulario todos los datos, comentarios y aclaraciones que se entiendan pertinentes. Asimismo, se valora la presentación de investigaciones, informes, y otros documentos ya preparados y/o publicados que se encuentren relacionados a estas temáticas.

Enviar las respuestas antes del 20 de diciembre de 2019 al correo electrónico: [email protected]. Indicar en el asunto del correo “Cuestionario sobre Proyecto del Triángulo Norte y Nicaragua – (Nombre del país)”. En caso de que no sea posible enviar un correo electrónico, también se puede enviar el cuestionario vía fax al número +1 202 458 3650, o por correo postal a:

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
United States of America

Questionnaire for Report on the impact of private security on human rights

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), with its Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights (ESCER), invites Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS), civil society, and other non-state actors to participate answering the Questionnaire for drafting the Thematic Report on the impact of private security on human rights.

This report seeks to identify the main challenges generated by the implementation of private security and good practices that are compatible with human rights, which are being implemented by countries in relation to private security companies.

The IACHR appreciates the contributions received as input for the preparation of this report, through which it seeks to identify States’ obligations to activities conducted by private security companies under their jurisdiction and the effects of these obligations on companies, providing recommendations on the subject.

The deadline to submit the questionnaire is October 30, 2019 at 23:59 p.m., Washington, D.C. (EST).

Questionnaire for drafting the Thematic Report on the Situation of Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights of Persons of African Descent in the Americas

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) invites Member States of the Organization of American States (OAS), civil society, and other non-state actors to participate answering the Questionnaire for drafting the Thematic Report on the Situation of Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights of Persons of African Descent in the Americas.

This questionnaire seeks to gather information to draft a regional report on the ESCERs of persons of African descent. The questionnaire is aimed at compiling information from the Member States of the Organization of American States, from civil society organizations, intergovernmental entities, as well as anyone interested in submitting information in response to the questions posed in the questionnaire.

The questionnaire may be partially or totally answered, depending on the information available to the respondent. Any studies, reports and other previously prepared and/or published documents, that may be relevant to the subject at hand, may be submitted. The questions may be answered with respect to the situation of Afro-descendants depending on available information or specific studies of the OAS Members States, of civil society organizations, academia and intergovernmental entities, as well of any person interested in submitting information in response to the questions.

Please submit questionnaire responses prior to August 13, 2019, by email to: [email protected].

Please write “Questionnaire on Afro-descendants and ESCER – (Name of country)” in the subject line of the email. Please do not submit duplicates. In the event that it is not possible to send an email, the questionnaire responses can also be sent by fax to +1 202 458 3650, or by ordinary mail to:

Relatoría sobre los Derechos de las Personas Afrodescendientes y contra la Discriminación Racial
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
United States of America



2018

Questionnaire to assist in the preparation of the report: Business and Human rights: Inter-American Standards

The Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights invites States, civil society, and other stakeholders to answer the questionnaire and contribute any additional information for analysis as part of the preparation of the report.

Responses to this questionnaire must be submitted no later than May 31, 2018 to [email protected]

If you do not have internet access, responses may be sent to the following address:

Special Rapporteurship on Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Rights
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
United States of America



2010

Questionnaire On The Primary Achievements And Challenges Women Face In Exercising Their Economic, Social, And Cultural Rights

In May 2010, the Office of the Rapporteur published a questionnaire on the primary achievements and challenges women face in their countries in exercising their economic, social, and cultural rights, particularly in the workplace, in education, and in access to and control of resources under conditions of equality, among other areas of economic, social and cultural rights of women. The IACHR received responses until July 10, 2010.