IACHR

Press Release

IACHR Releases Schedule of Public Hearings for 173 Period of Sessions*

August 22, 2019

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Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) publishes the calendar of public hearings that will take place during its 173rd Period of Sessions, to be held from September 23 to October 2, 2019 at its headquarters, in Washington, DC.

The IACHR decided to convene on its own initiative (ex officio) the public hearings: “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada” on Tuesday, September 24, and “Environmental Protection in the Amazon and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil” on Friday, September 27. In addition, at the request of the State of Mexico, a regional hearing on "Judicial protection of victims of terrorist acts inspired by hate speech" was convened on Thursday, September 26.

The Commission welcomes expressions of interest in taking part in these hearings. Pursuant to Article 66 of the IACHR’s Rules of Procedure, anyone interested must properly identify themselves and explain why they would like to take part in the hearings. Expressions of interest should be submitted via this system for the hearing “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada”, this system for the hearing “Environmental Protection in the Amazon and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Brazil” and this system for the hearing "Judicial protection of victims of terrorist acts inspired by hate speech". Systems will be available before 11:59 pm on August 31, 2019 (time in Washington, D.C.). For the regional hearing: "Judicial protection of victims of terrorist acts inspired by hate speech" the IACHR will receive requests for participation from both civil society and States in the region.

The IACHR will announce at a later date the list of organizations and persons summoned, who will need to cover any expenses they incur in to take part in the hearings. The IACHR invites any organizations, States and persons who are not summoned for these hearings to submit, in writing, any documentation or information they deem relevant to the topic of the hearing.

Pursuant to Article 68 of the IACHR’s Rules of Procedure, the hearings will be public. Anyone interested may attend freely without prior registration, subject only to space restrictions in the hearing room.

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.

 

This press release was modified on August 26, 2019.

No. 210/19