On the 27, 28, 30 and 31 of October, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will hold its 153^rd session, which will include several public hearings relevant to the situation of human rights defenders in the region.

(New York) - The public hearings of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ 153^rd Session will be held on the 27, 28, 30 and 31 of October

Several hearings will be held relevant to the situation of human rights defenders in the region, including one on defenders in Guatemala, on freedom of expression and access to information in Venezuela, and on the impunity for serious human rights violations in Mexico. In these hearings both State and NGO representatives will address the Commission. The hearings are designed to draw Commission attention to human rights concerns and developments. 

On its own initiative, the Commission will also hold a hearing with a wide range of NGOs on the improper use of criminal law to criminalise human rights defenders, to provide input to the upcoming report on criminalisation by the Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders. 

For a full schedule of public hearings, see:  http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/sessions/docs/Calendario-153-audiencias-en.pdf. The hearings can be followed live by webcast on the Commission website at www.oas.org/en/iachr.

The Inter-American Commission is an autonomous body of the Organisation of American States (OAS). Its mandate to promote respect for human rights across the Americas is derived from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. 

For more information, contact ISHR’s Regional Advocacy Coordinator, Eleanor Openshaw on [email protected]

Photo: Organización de los Estados Americanos