The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in compliance with its conventional and statutory powers, in response to the resolutions of the OAS General Assembly that encourage Member States to follow up on the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and in accordance with its Rules of Procedure, requests information from States regarding compliance with the recommendations issued in the reports which are published in the Annual Reports of the IACHR, and produces the corresponding follow-up reports.

Functions and Powers of the IACHR
American Convention, Article 41

The main function of the Commission shall be to promote respect for and defense of human rights. In the exercise of its mandate, it shall have the following functions and powers:

a. to develop an awareness of human rights among the peoples of America;

b. to make recommendations to the governments of the member states, when it considers such action advisable, for the adoption of progressive measures in favor of human rights within the framework of their domestic law and constitutional provisions as well as appropriate measures to further the observance of those rights;

c. to prepare such studies or reports as it considers advisable in the performance of its duties;

d. to request the governments of the member states to supply it with information on the measures adopted by them in matters of human rights;

e. to respond, through the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States, to inquiries made by the member states on matters related to human rights and, within the limits of its possibilities, to provide those states with the advisory services they request;

f. to take action on petitions and other communications pursuant to its authority under the provisions of Articles 44 through 51 of this Convention; and

g. to submit an annual report to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States.


Statute, Article 18

b. to make recommendations to the governments of the states on the adoption of progressive measures in favor of human rights in the framework of their legislation, constitutional provisions and international commitments, as well as appropriate measures to further observance of those rights.

Petition and Case System
Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, Article 48. Follow-up

1. Once the Commission has published a report on a friendly settlement or on the merits in which it has made recommendations, it may adopt the follow-up measures it deems appropriate, such as requesting information from the parties and holding hearings in order to verify compliance with friendly settlement agreements and its recommendations.

2. The Commission shall report on progress in complying with those agreements and recommendations as it deems appropriate.

Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, Article 59. Annual Report

2, c, vii. status of compliance with recommendations in individual cases.

Granted Precautionary Measures
Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, Article 25. Precautionary Measures

10. The Commission shall take appropriate follow-up measures, such as requesting relevant information from the interested parties on any matter related to the granting, observance and maintenance of precautionary measures. These measures may include, as appropriate, timetables for implementation, hearings, working meetings, and visits for follow-up and review.

Monitoring System
Rules of Procedure of the IACHR, Article 59. Annual Report

9. By means of Chapter V of its Annual Report, the Commission shall follow-up on measures adopted to comply with the recommendations issued in its country reports, thematic reports, or in reports previously published in Chapter IV.B.

General Guidelines on the Follow-up of Recommendations and Decisions of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights