IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Decides to Extend Precautionary Measures in Favor of Human Rights Lawyer and Family of Beneficiary Ruth Matute in Nicaragua
May 13, 2020
Washington, D.C. - on May 12, 2020, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) adopted Resolution 20/20 in favor of a human rights lawyer, and Resolution 21/20 in favor of the immediate family of Ruth Matute, in Nicaragua. The IACHR previously granted and extended precautionary measures in favor of other women human rights defenders through Resolution 70/18 of September 17, 2018, and Resolution 60/19 of December 24, 2019, and in favor of Ms. Ruth Matute through Resolution 2/19 of January 31, 2019.
In reaching its decision, the IACHR assessed the alleged events in the context in which they had taken place. Specifically, in the case of the human rights lawyer mentioned above, the IACHR ascertained that she was exposed to various types of risk as a consequence of her professional activities. In the case of Ruth Matute’s immediate family, it was noted that after her husband was violently arrested, his whereabouts remained unknown for two days, and he was allegedly assaulted by police officers while he was being deprived of his freedom. After evaluating compliance with the regulatory requirements, the IACHR requested that the state of Nicaragua adopt measures to protect their rights to life and humane treatment; adopt consultation measures; and investigate the events in question.
The fact that this precautionary measure has been granted and its adoption by the state does not entail a prejudgment on any petition that may eventually be filed before the inter-American system to allege that the rights protected by the American Convention on Human Rights and other applicable instruments have been violated.
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. 000/20