IACHR Publishes Booklet on Follow-Up to Resolution 1/20: Pandemic and Human Rights in the Americas

March 22, 2023

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Washington, D.C. — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has published the Follow-up Booklet: Implementation and Impacts of Resolution No. 1/2020, Pandemic and Human Rights in the Americas, as part of the Impact Observatory Dialogue Series.

The booklet includes 22 decisions adopted by the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government in different OAS Member States. Of the decisions adopted, 7 were issued by Argentina; 1 by Bolivia; 2 by Brazil; 3 by Colombia; 1 by Costa Rica; 5 by El Salvador; 1 by Honduras; 2 by Peru; and 2 by Mexico.

The decisions and measures adopted by the States illustrate the human rights challenges that arose as States attempted to contain and address the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, as well as the positive impact of the IACHR's recommendations when taken as guidelines for State decision-making. This is especially true in terms of the protection measures that were provided to particularly vulnerable groups.

The booklet describes IACHR Resolution No. 1/2020, examines the decisions and measures adopted by States, and analyzes and draws conclusions regarding the implementation of the Resolution in specific measures taken in each country. The publication is based on monitoring and follow-up information collected by the SACROI COVID-19. Its objective is to evaluate whether States considered the content and recommendations contained in Resolution No. 1/2020, which the IACHR issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also seeks to identify the scope of implementation of these decisions within countries and to disseminate the policies and good practices adopted by countries in the region.

Finally, the IACHR expressed its appreciation of how receptive States in the region have been to Resolution No. 1/2020, and how it has been applied by the authorities in different countries, which used it as an input when designing their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (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.

No. 044/23

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