IACHR

Press Release

IACHR Announces Schedule of Public Hearings for its 162nd Sessions and calls for Participation in Hearings Convened at its own Initiative

April 27, 2017

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Washington, D.C. - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) today publishes the schedule of public hearings that will take place during its 162nd Extraordinary Period of Sessions, to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Also, the IACHR calls for expressions of interest from civil society organizations that may wish to participate in the hearings convened at the IACHR’s own initiative, during the 162nd Period of Sessions.

The hearings in Argentina will take place on May 24th, 25th and 26th, 2017, during the morning hours, at the Sheraton Hotel, located at 1225/1275 San Martin, Buenos Aires. Attached to this press release is the complete schedule of hearings.

The hearings convened at the IACHR’s own initiative (ex officio hearings) are the following: “Human Rights and Free, Plural, and Uncensored Education in Brazil: The Proposed Exclusion of a Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Perspective in the National Curriculum Base, and the School Without Party,” “Human Rights Situation of Migrants in the Southern Cone”, and “Protest and Human Rights in Paraguay.”

Beginning today, the Commission is accepting expressions of interest to participate in the ex officio hearings. Pursuant to Article 66 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure, those interested must submit information indicating the identity of the participants and the purpose of their appearance. It is possible to request participation in more than one hearing. Expressions of interest should be sent by email to the following address: [email protected], no later than May 8th at midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST), in the United States. Please write “Hearings Participation Request” on the subject line of the email.

At a later date, the IACHR will announce the list of organizations convened to participate in the hearings. These organizations will have a combined total of 20 minutes to present any information they consider relevant. The expense of participating in the hearings must be covered by the organization or persons interested in participating.

In terms of organizations and persons that are not called on to participate, the IACHR invites them to present in writing any documentation and information they believe is relevant to the subject matter of the hearing.

Pursuant to Article 68 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure, the hearings will be public. Anyone interested may attend, subject only to space restrictions in the hearing room, and no prior registration is required.

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. 052/17