Press Release
IACHR Press Office
Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held its annual dialogue with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from the Americas on October 29, 2024, in Asunción, Paraguay. These talks sought to enable NHRIs and the IACHR to pool ideas on best practices, challenges, and trends concerning the situation of human rights in the region.
The event was led by Commissioner José Luis Caballero, the IACHR's Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Justice Operators, and brought together heads and other representatives of NHRIs from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Representatives from human rights institutions in Brazil and Mexico also took part in the gathering.
These talks were divided in two parts. Part 1 focused on regional trends concerning human rights. In part 2, participants discussed various challenges linked to the impact of organized crime on human rights, as well as opportunities to promote standards that enable better protection of fundamental safeguards against these threats. The talks provided the IACHR with valuable information.
This event was held in the context of the IACHR's cooperation with France and also had the support of the Iberian American Federation of Ombudspersons (FIO). The IACHR thanks both partners for their assistance, and it also thanks NHRIs for their contributions and commitment.
The IACHR stresses the importance of continued cooperation to protect human rights and defend the rule of law. The IACHR plans to build on these talks with a positive agenda for work with NHRIs, in order to strengthen cooperation and address emerging challenges. The IACHR calls on NHRIs in the Americas to continue to work with the independence and autonomy that are trademarks of these institutions, in keeping with the Paris Principles.
The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.
No. 303/24
2:30 PM