OAS/Ser.L/V/I.4 rev.12
31 January 2007
Original:  Spanish

BASIC DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO HUMAN RIGHTS
IN THE INTER-AMERICAN SYSTEM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I.        THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES 

          A.  PURPOSES 

          B.  ORGANS 

II.       THE INTER-AMERICAN SYSTEM FOR THE
           PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS         

          A.  THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
               OF AMERICAN STATES AND HUMAN RIGHTS

          B.  THE AMERICAN DECLARATION OF THE RIGHT AND DUTIES OF MAN 

          C.  THE CREATION OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN
               RIGHTS AND ITS INSTITUTIONAL EVOLUTION 

          D.  THE AMERICAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 

          E.  THE PROTOCOLS TO THE AMERICAN CONVENTION 

          F.  THE NEW STATUTE AND NEW RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE
               INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS          

          G.  THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS   

          H.  MORE RECENT INTER-AMERICAN INSTRUMENTS CONCERNING
               HUMAN RIGHTS

AMERICAN DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MAN

AMERICAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

         SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE AMERICAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AREA OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS "PROTOCOL OF SAN SALVADOR"

            SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

PROTOCOL TO THE AMERICAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY

            SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION TO PREVENT AND PUNISH TORTURE

            SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION ON FORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF PERSONS

        SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION, PUNISHMENT AND ERADICATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN "CONVENTION OF BELÉM
DO PARÁ"

            SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

INTER-AMERICAN CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSON WITH DISABILITIES

            SIGNATURES AND CURRENT STATUS OF RATIFICATIONS

STATUTE OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

STATUTE OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT ON HUMAN RIGHTS

RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT ON HUMAN RIGHTS

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

PRINCIPLES AND BEST PRACTICES ON THE PROTECTION OF PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY IN THE AMERICAS

CHARTER OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

INTER-AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER

PETITION FORM