Merits Reports

The merits stage is where the IACHR must decide on the merits or substance of the matter, that is, whether or not there were violations of human rights in the case being analyzed. The procedure on the merits is regulated in Articles 48 and 50 of the American Convention on Human Rights and Articles 37, 38, 39, 43, and 44 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure. The merits stage ends with the approval of a Merits Report, which contains the conclusions about whether the facts of the case constitute human rights violations. If it is found that there were human rights violations, the Merits Report includes recommendations to the State.

Merits Reports approved are not published immediately. When a Merits Report is approved, in accordance with Article 50 of the American Convention on Human Rights, it is confidential, and the Commission notifies only the parties (the State and the petitioner). Merits Reports that have been approved can be published later if the Commission so decides, pursuant to Article 51(3) of the American Convention on Human Rights. If the Commission decides to send a case to the Inter-American Court, the Merits Report on that case will be published on the IACHR website, under Cases in the Court..

Argentina

reports: 5

Chile

reports: 1

El Salvador

  • Report No. 25/83, Petition 6720 , Aída Escobar and Félix Rivera
  • Report No. 24/83, Petition 6719 , Rural villages of Conchaguita, Amapalita and El Farito of La Unión, and the alleged murder of port workers Santos González, Martín González and Víctor Antonio Turcios
  • Report No. 23/83, Petition 6718 , Rural villages of Santa Marta, Sensuntepeque, and the alleged murder of Pedro Gamez, Pedro Lainez, Fidencio Velásquez, Demecio Recinos, Bonifacio Hernández, Conrado Hernández, and Fracisco Leiva
  • Report No. 22/83, Petition 6717 , Rural villages of El Rosario, Plan de Ojos de Agua, La Laguna, El Terrero, El Comón y Caserío de Lomona, de Dulce Nombre de María, Chalatenango, occupied by Salvadorans forces who also allegedly killed Antonia Guardado, Maria Guardado, Rafael Navarro, Berta Lidia Luisa Abrego Landaverde and her six-month old daughter
  • Report No. 17/83, Petition 7575 , Sisters Ita Ford and Maura Clark

reports: 5

Haiti

reports: 4

Nicaragua

reports: 7

Uruguay

reports: 1