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IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Thanks Donors
November 8, 2013
Washington, D.C.—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held a ceremony to thank the countries and institutions that have provided financial support for the work of the IACHR on a regular basis since 2012.
“More than half of the Commission’s income is derived from voluntary contributions, without which the IACHR would not be able to fulfill its mandate to protect and promote human rights,” said the Chair of the IACHR, Commissioner José de Jesús Orozco Henríquez.
“In a context of great opportunities and risks, the human rights system is far from having the resources it needs, and it depends to a great degree on being able to tap external resources to meet the many challenges presented to it,” the IACHR Chair added.
Thanks to donors’ financial support, the Inter-American Commission was able to process more cases involving human rights violations and more requests for precautionary measures; strengthen the IACHR capacity to support in friendly settlement procedures; conduct onsite visits and working visits; prepare thematic reports; and bring in young professionals through its system of paid fellowships, among other activities. These donors made it possible to hold workshops, courses, and seminars in which thousands of people—including public officials, human rights defenders, and others—received training in human rights and in the inter-American human rights system.
The Inter-American Commission expressed its appreciation to Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the United States, OAS member countries that have made special voluntary contributions to the Commission on a regular basis over the last two years. The Commission also recognized Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, OAS permanent observers that have also made significant financial contributions. The IACHR also expressed appreciation for the contributions made by the European Union, the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Plan International, Save the Children International, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the University of Notre Dame.
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 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. 84/13