PRESS RELEASE

No. 29/02

 

 

VISIT BY THE IACHR TO THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA TO OBSERVE THE
SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

 

 

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will visit the Republic of Guatemala from July 23 to 26, 2002.  The Commission’s Unit for Human Rights Defenders will participate in the visit, which is intended to evaluate the situation of human rights defenders.

 

Their situation is one of the concerns of the IACHR and of the governments of the Hemisphere, as expressed by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in resolutions AG/RES. 1818/01 and AG/RES. 1842/02, which requested the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to “continue to pay due attention to the situation of human rights defenders in the Americas and to consider preparing a comprehensive study in this area.” During the visit, the IACHR delegation will also participate in the Second Regional Consultation on Human Rights Defenders and the National Workshop on Human Rights Defenders, both to be held in Guatemala City. 

 

The IACHR is a principal organ of the Organization of American States, composed of seven members elected in their personal capacity by the OAS General Assembly.  The Commission’s mandate is to promote the observance of human rights in the Hemisphere according to parameters established in the American Convention on Human Rights, to which Guatemala has been party since 1978.

 

The IACHR delegation that will visit Guatemala beginning on July 23 is made up of Ms. Susana Villarán, Commissioner and Rapporteur for Guatemala; Dr. Santiago A. Cantón, Executive Secretary of the IACHR; and attorneys from the Executive Secretariat.

 

During its stay, the IACHR delegation will meet with government officials and with representatives of different sectors of civil society.

 

The Commission is grateful for the cooperation and the facilities extended by the Government of Guatemala, nongovernmental organizations, and other civil society institutions in the planning and execution of this visit.

 

 

 

Washington, D.C., July 18, 2002