Handbook for journalists on the Inter-American system for the protection of human rights
The ADC has developed a handbook for journalists which explains the main objectives and functioning of the Inter-American system for the protection of human rights.
The Inter-American system for the protection of human rights has had a growing impact on Latin America in recent decades. In the context of defective democracies and the persistence of systematic violations of rights, the work of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has been particularly important. Both bodies have given satisfactory answers to thousands of victims and petitioners by resolution of individual cases. Moreover, their decisions have been improvements in the legal and political systems of different states. Both the Commission and the Court have set standards to a greater or lesser extent guide reforms and help raise the standard of protection of rights in the systems’ member states.
However, the growing importance of Inter-American system for the protection of human rights in the continent is not accompanied by a greater knowledge of the functioning and composition of its organs, the processes that establish the international responsibility of states that are in breach of human rights or the possibilities of using its tools for the defense of human rights. In order to strengthen the systems’ legitimacy it is fundamental that the people who live in this continent be aware of where it operates, how does the system work and what are the objectives it seeks.
For these reasons it is essential to achieve greater awareness of the work of the Commission and Court, and the impact that their decisions have. In making this possible, journalism plays a significant and unique role.
This handbook for journalists on the Inter-American system for the protection of human rights is to provide a concise and simple description of the history, structure and functioning of this system, the handling of contentious cases and the role of key players involved with their bodies. This approach is intended to provide journalists with the basic tools needed to pursue coverage, dissemination and review of the performance of the organs for the protection of human rights and the institutional mechanisms within the states which are supposed to comply with its decisions.
The Asociación por los Derechos Civiles presents this handbook with the desire to facilitate the flow of information about the Inter-American human rights system, encourage greater participation of civil society in the region in its procedures and, ultimately, contribute to the consolidation of human rights in the region.
For his invaluable contributions, the ADC wants to especially thank Pablo Abiad, a journalist whose vision was key in designing and developing the content of the manual.
We also thank the team members of the Program on Inter-American System of Human Rights for their work and dedication in making the contents of the document: Fernando Basch, Ana Laya and Barbara Schreiber. Just as the valuable comments provided by Felicitas Rossi.
Finally, the ADC is grateful to the Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI), whose support made this manual possible.
Alvaro Herrero
Executive Director