IACHR Visit to Belize

October 15, 2024

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) announces a technical cooperation, promotional and follow-up of recommendations visit to Belize. The visit has the objectives to promote the Inter-American System of Human Rights, to strengthen the Commission's relations with the country with the purpose of increasing collaboration in human rights and promoting technical cooperation mechanisms and capacity building, as well as conducting several activities to gather information on the State's progress with Case 12.053 on the Maya indigenous communities in Toledo.

The technical cooperation, promotional and follow-up of recommendations visit is in keeping with the priorities established in IACHR's Strategic Five-year Plan for the Caribbean (2023-2027) that places emphasis on the region. The specific objective of the technical cooperation and promotional aspect of the visit is to learn of best practices, the needs and challenges faced by the State, civil society and other non-state actors with promoting and protecting human rights, and how best to respond.

The visit will be led by Commissioner Jose Caballero, Second Vice-President of the IACHR and Country Rapporteur for Belize and will take place from October 15^th to 18^th, 2024. The delegation will hold meetings with authorities and representatives of the State, as well as with non-state actors, and will promote technical cooperation on prioritized human rights issues.

The visit is also an opportunity for the Commission to follow-up of its recommendations by holding on-site working meetings and a seminar on the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as to gather updated information on the Case 12.053 on the Maya indigenous communities in Toledo.

The IACHR acknowledges the collaboration and willingness of the State of Belize to host this visit.

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 respective countries of origin or residence.

No. 246/24

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