The IJC is the consultative branch of the Organization of American States on juridical matters. In this Regular Session, the Committee approved a report on Inter-American judicial cooperation that presents the existing mechanisms in the Inter-American system concerning mutual legal aid on penal cases, extradition, family and childhood, among other topics. In addition, the Committee held discussions on themes related to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression; general guidelines for border integration; electronic warehouse receipts for agricultural produce; and the social responsibility of companies in the field of human rights and the environment in the Americas.

On this occasion the Juridical Committee included two new themes in its agenda: “alternatives for regulating the use of stupefying psychotropic substances and preventing drug-addiction” and “guidelines for migratory management in bilateral relations”. Discussion was also held on the mandate proposed by the General Assembly on “protection of personal data”.

It should be mentioned that the Committee received the visit of distinguished jurists, professors and experts of the Inter-American system, including the Head of the Office of the Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador Hugo De Zela; the President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Dr. José de Jesús Orozco; former member of the Committee and Judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Dr. Eduardo Vio Grossi, among others. The Committee also received the visit of a Commissioner of the African Union of International Law.

The next Regular Session of the Inter-American Juridical Committee will be held in the month of March, 2014.

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