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IACHR to conduct on-site visit to haiti
Washington, D.C., April 13, 2007 - At the invitation of the Government of Haiti, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will conduct an on-site visit to the Republic of Haiti from April 16-20, 2007 in order to observe and receive information concerning the human rights situation in the country, including the issue of the administration of justice and the situation of women and girls.
The IACHR is an independent organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), with principal responsibility for promoting the observance and protection of human rights in the Hemisphere. The seven members of the Commission are elected in their personal capacity by the OAS General Assembly for a four-year term. The Commission’s terms of reference are derived from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights, treaties ratified by the Republic of Haiti.
The IACHR Delegation will consist of Rapporteur for Haiti Commissioner Clare K. Roberts and staff of the Executive Secretariat in Washington, D.C.
While in Haiti, the Commission plans to meet with high-level government officials, members of civil society including national and international nongovernmental organizations and members of the judiciary and legal practitioners, and representatives of intergovernmental organizations, including the OAS Special Mission in Haiti, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
On April 19th the IACHR plans to organize a roundtable event to encourage dialogue on the current situation of the administration of justice, reform programs and initiatives and the impact of these on the respect for human rights in Haiti. The event will aim to bring together state representatives, key stakeholders, legal practitioners and human rights advocates.
During its visit, the IACHR will be prepared to receive petitions from individuals who allege that their human rights, or the rights of other persons, have been violated. The petitions must be presented in writing and can be delivered to the OAS National Office located at 4 rue François, Musseau, Port-au-Prince, Haiti between 9am-3pm from Monday, April 16th to Friday, April 20th. A sample form is available in the OAS National Office or on the Commission’s web site at www.cidh.org.
The Commission is grateful for the cooperation and the facilities provided by the Government of Haiti and by civil society organizations and institutions, and international organizations, including the OAS Special Mission, in the preparation of its visit. |
