IACHR

Press Release

Outgoing and Incoming IACHR Executive Secretaries Hold Transition Meeting

August 15, 2016

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Washington, D.C. — The outgoing Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Emilio Álvarez Icaza, and his successor in the position, Paulo Abrão, will meet today at IACHR headquarters for a transition meeting.

Throughout the day, both will hold meetings with work teams at the IACHR Executive Secretariat. This follows meetings they have held in the last few days with a view to ensuring continuity in the work of the IACHR.

“This type of transition is a best practice that reinforces institutional continuity. The Commission is sending a strong message that despite the financial crisis, its commitment to human rights victims and to actors within the inter-American human rights system is being renewed and strengthened,” said the President of the IACHR, Commissioner James Cavallaro.

Paulo Abrão was chosen by the IACHR on July 26, 2016, to serve as Executive Secretary for a four-year term, which can be renewed once. He will take office on Tuesday, August 16.

Emilio Álvarez Icaza served as Executive Secretary from August 15, 2012, through August 15, 2016. In January 2016, he announced his decision not to stand for a second term.

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. 114/16