{"id":102858,"date":"2026-07-02T13:38:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T17:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/?post_type=comunicado-de-prensa&#038;p=102858"},"modified":"2026-07-02T15:32:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T19:32:26","slug":"statement-regarding-attacks-on-the-inter-american-commission-on-human-rights","status":"publish","type":"comunicado-de-prensa","link":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/press-releases\/statement-regarding-attacks-on-the-inter-american-commission-on-human-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement Regarding Attacks on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>July 02, 2026. &#8211; We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, observe with deep concern the unfolding campaign of harassment and defamation against Commissioner Andrea Pochak, centered on allegations of a conflict of interest in connection with a case pending before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). As Commissioner Pochak explains in her defense, she had no involvement whatsoever in that proceeding while serving in the Argentine government\u2019s human rights office. Furthermore, the State has duly exercised its right to present a defense before the Inter-American Human Rights System, and the proceeding has not resulted in any financial loss to the State.<\/p>\n<p>In this context, the campaign risks undermining Commissioner Pochak&#8217;s functional autonomy as Commissioner and First Vice President of the IACHR and, more broadly, the legitimacy of the Inter-American Human Rights System. It is also concerning that the complaint was filed by an organization that has become increasingly active within the Inter-American Human Rights System in recent years, but whose origins, institutional background, and sources of funding remain unknown.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission\u2019s effectiveness rests on its legitimacy as an independent and autonomous body for the protection of rights and on its ability to respond effectively to various forms of human rights violations. Discussions on transparency, access to public information, and conflicts of interest are essential to ensuring the proper functioning of the regional system, and we have consistently supported such discussions. At the same time, it is essential to distinguish between legitimate, well-founded concerns and campaigns aimed solely at discrediting the Commission. Attacks on the autonomy and independence of the IACHR, its members, and its Executive Secretariat must not be repeated. In this context, it would be valuable to promote an open dialogue among States, civil society, academia, and other regional stakeholders to clarify and strengthen the ethical conflict-of-interest standards applicable to Commissioners. Recent debates involving Commissioners with backgrounds in civil society, academia and government demonstrate the importance of clear and consistently applied standards.<\/p>\n<p>We are convinced that, in the face of the challenges posed by the new global and regional context, it is essential that both States and civil society work together to strengthen international human rights institutions to safeguard the continent\u2019s democracies. In recent years, the IACHR has had to intervene in serious political and institutional crises that have affected many Latin American countries. Such engagement is essential to protecting democracy, strengthening the rule of law, and advancing human rights across the region.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Robert Kogod Goldman<\/strong>, Professor, WCL, American University, former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Carlos Ayala<\/strong>, Professor at Andr\u00e9s Bello Catholic University, former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Roberta Clarke<\/strong>, former Chair of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Juan E. M\u00e9ndez<\/strong>, Professor, WCL, American University, former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>James Cavallaro<\/strong>, Executive Director, University Network for Human Rights; Professor, Columbia Law School; former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Julissa Mantilla Falc\u00f3n<\/strong>, Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Antonia Urrejola<\/strong>, former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Margarette May Macaulay<\/strong>, former judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), former commissioner, and two-time former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Felipe Gonz\u00e1lez Mora<\/strong>, Professor at Diego Portales University, former President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Flavia Piovessan<\/strong>, Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of San Pablo (PUCP), former Vice President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>V\u00edctor Abramovich<\/strong>, Professor, School of Law, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), former Vice President of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Esmeralda Arosemena de Troiti\u00f1o<\/strong>, former Commissioner of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Santiago Cant\u00f3n<\/strong>, Executive Director, International Commission of Jurists (CIJ), former Executive Secretary of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paulo Abrao<\/strong>, former Executive Secretary of the IACHR.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Clara Galvis Pati\u00f1o<\/strong>, Professor at the Externado University of Colombia; member of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances (2015\u20132019).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Soledad Garc\u00eda Mu\u00f1oz<\/strong>, Distinguished Fellow, HRI, Georgetown Law; Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom from Enforced Disappearance, IACHR (2017\u20132023).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Luis Pedernera<\/strong>, former Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Julieta Rossi<\/strong>, Independent Expert of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.<\/li>\n<li><strong>H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Tigroudja<\/strong>, Vice-Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Committee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alianza Regional por la libertad de expresi\u00f3n e informaci\u00f3n<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>ARTIGO 19<\/strong> Brazil e Am\u00e9rica do Sul<\/li>\n<li><strong>ARTICULO 19<\/strong> Mexico and Central America<\/li>\n<li><strong>Abogados y Abogadas del Noroeste Argentino por los Derechos Humanos y Estudios Sociales (ANDHES)<\/strong> Argentina<\/li>\n<li><strong>Asociaci\u00f3n Nacional de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales Orientadas al Desarrollo<\/strong> Uruguay<\/li>\n<li><strong>Asociaci\u00f3n Pro Derechos Humanos (APRODEH)<\/strong> Peru<\/li>\n<li><strong>Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Nacional dos Centros de Defesa da Crian\u00e7a e do Adolescente ANCED\/Se\u00e7\u00e3o DCI<\/strong> Brazil<\/li>\n<li><strong>Centro de Reflexiones Nim Poqom<\/strong> Guatemala<\/li>\n<li><strong>Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)<\/strong> Argentina<\/li>\n<li><strong>Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL)<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Centro de Pol\u00edticas P\u00fablicas y Derechos Humanos (Peru EQUIDAD)<\/strong> Peru<\/li>\n<li><strong>CIVICUS, Alianza Global para la Participaci\u00f3n Ciudadana<\/strong> Global<\/li>\n<li><strong>Colectivo de Abogados y Abogadas Jos\u00e9 Alvear Restrepo (CAJAR)<\/strong> Colombia<\/li>\n<li><strong>Colectivo de Derechos de Infancia y Adolescencia<\/strong> Argentina<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coordinadora de Derechos Humanos del Paraguay (CODEHUPY)<\/strong> Paraguay<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coordinadora Institucional de Promoci\u00f3n por los Derechos de la Ni\u00f1ez (CIPRODENI)<\/strong> Guatemala<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coordinadora por los Derechos de la Infancia y la Adolescencia (CDIA)<\/strong> Paraguay<\/li>\n<li><strong>Conectas Direitos Humanos<\/strong> Brazil<\/li>\n<li><strong>Comit\u00e9 de Acci\u00f3n Jur\u00eddica<\/strong> Argentina<\/li>\n<li><strong>Corporaci\u00f3n Humanas<\/strong> Colombia<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coordinadora Ind\u00edgena de Abya Yala<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Equipo Jur\u00eddico por los Derechos Humanos<\/strong> Honduras<\/li>\n<li><strong>Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y G\u00e9nero<\/strong> Argentina<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fundaci\u00f3n Construir<\/strong> Bolivia<\/li>\n<li><strong>Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF)<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fundaci\u00f3n Myrna Mack<\/strong> Guatemala<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fundaci\u00f3n para la Justicia y el Estado Democr\u00e1tico de Derecho (FJEDD)<\/strong> Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>Instituto de Defensa Legal (IDL)<\/strong> Peru<\/li>\n<li><strong>Instituto para las mujeres en la Migraci\u00f3n (AC IMUMI)<\/strong> Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ipas LAC<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Justi\u00e7a Global<\/strong> Brazil<\/li>\n<li><strong>Movimiento Nacional de Direitos Humanos (MNDH)<\/strong> Brazil<\/li>\n<li><strong>Movimiento Sueco por la Reconciliaci\u00f3n (SweFOR)<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Observatorio de Cr\u00edmenes LGBTI en Mexico<\/strong> Mexico<\/li>\n<li><strong>Organismo Ind\u00edgena Naleb\u2019<\/strong> Guatemala<\/li>\n<li><strong>PROMSEX, Centro de Promoci\u00f3n y Defensa de los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos<\/strong> Peru<\/li>\n<li><strong>Proyecto sobre Organizaci\u00f3n, Desarrollo, Educaci\u00f3n e Investigaci\u00f3n (PODER)<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red de Coaliciones Sur<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red Nacional de ONGs de Infancia y Juventud (ROIJ)<\/strong> Chile<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red Para la Infancia y la Adolescencia de El Salvador (RIA)<\/strong> El Salvador<\/li>\n<li><strong>Red por los Derechos Humanos de ni\u00f1os, ni\u00f1as y adolescentes (REDHNNA)<\/strong> Venezuela<\/li>\n<li><strong>Synerg\u00eda \u2013 <\/strong>Initiatives for Human Rights Global<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tierra Viva<\/strong> Paraguay<\/li>\n<li><strong>Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)<\/strong> Regional<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Robert &amp; Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center<\/strong> Global<\/li>\n<li>SUPPORTED BY:<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claudia Mart\u00edn<\/strong>, Co-Director of the Academy of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, WCL, American University.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jos\u00e9 Antonio Guevara Berm\u00fadez<\/strong>, Professor, Autonomous University of Tlaxcala (Mexico).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Laura Pautassi<\/strong>, Professor, School of Law, University of Buenos Aires. Former Chair of the Working Group for the Analysis of National Reports under the Protocol of San Salvador (OAS).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Juan Gabriel Tokatlian<\/strong>, Professor at the University of Di Tella (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Joaqu\u00edn A. Mej\u00eda Rivera<\/strong>, Team for Reflection, Research, and Communication (Honduras).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Manuel Garrido<\/strong>, President of the Innocence Project Argentina and Professor at the National University of La Plata (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Alicia Noli<\/strong>, Argentine Association of Human Rights Professors (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Roberto P. Saba<\/strong>, Full Professor, School of Law, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Laura Cl\u00e9rico<\/strong>, Professor, School of Law, University of Buenos Aires (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gabriel I. Anitua<\/strong>, UnPaz, UBA, UNLa (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Silvia Zimerman<\/strong>, Adjunct Professor, School of Law, UBA (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sebasti\u00e1n Rey<\/strong>, UNPAZ (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Lourdes Bascary<\/strong>, Assistant Professor of Human Rights, School of Law and Social Sciences, National University of Tucum\u00e1n (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Romina Ronda<\/strong>, National University of Catamarca (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rodrigo Saab<\/strong>, Human Rights Center at the National University of Tucum\u00e1n (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mariana Soledad \u00c1lvarez<\/strong>, Professor of Legal Feminisms and Human Rights at the School of Law and Social Sciences, National University of Tucum\u00e1n (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Claudia In\u00e9s L\u00f3pez<\/strong>, National University of Tucum\u00e1n (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gaspar L\u00f3pez<\/strong>, Professor of Human Rights, School of Law, National University of Tucum\u00e1n (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Natalia Federman<\/strong>, Professor, National University of Lan\u00fas (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Luciana \u00c1lvarez<\/strong>, CONICET\/National University of Cuyo (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Federico Taboada<\/strong>, School of Law, UBA (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cruz Silva Del Carpio<\/strong>, Institute for Legal Defense (IDL), Peru.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dante Ariel Leguizam\u00f3n Morra<\/strong>, Human Rights Coordinator for Paraguay.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Susana Saavedra<\/strong>, Executive Director, CONSTRUIR Foundation (Bolivia).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jos\u00e9 Javier Acevedo Bustillo<\/strong>, Center for Research and Promotion of Human Rights (CIPRODEH).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Paula Salvo Del Canto<\/strong>, Humanas Corporation, Chile.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adriana Benjumea<\/strong>, Humanas Corporation, Chile.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dami\u00e1n M. Loreti<\/strong>, Professor of the Right to Information, School of Social Sciences, UBA (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Natalia Gherardi<\/strong>, Executive Director of ELA\u2014Latin American Team for Justice and Gender (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dinorah Arceta<\/strong>, Institute for Women in Migration (AC IMUMI).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Jos\u00e9 Guembe<\/strong>, Professor, National University of Lan\u00fas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Juan Carlos Capurro<\/strong>, CAJ\u2014Legal Action Committee (Argentina).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rodrigo Jim\u00e9nez Sandoval<\/strong>, Professor, University of Costa Rica.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Marco Romero<\/strong>, Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ver\u00f3nica Reyna<\/strong>, Center for Research and Advocacy for Central America (CIIC).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Marisol M\u00e9ndez Cruz<\/strong>, Foundation for Justice and the Democratic Rule of Law (FJEDD).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lautaro Furfaro<\/strong>, University of Buenos Aires and Torcuato Di Tella University.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Martha Guadalupe Figueroa Mier<\/strong>, Mujeres Libres COLEM, AC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vivian Isabel Idrovo Mora<\/strong>, Alliance of Human Rights Organizations of Ecuador.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Azah\u00e1lea Sol\u00eds Rom\u00e1n<\/strong>, Autonomous Women\u2019s Movement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rossina Guerrero V\u00e1squez<\/strong>, Center for the Promotion and Defense of Sexual and Reproductive Rights &#8211; Promsex.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Marcelo Ernesto Ferreyra<\/strong>, Synerg\u00eda\u2014Initiatives for Human Rights.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Enriqueta Cepeda<\/strong>, Incide Social, AC.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Victoria Sanford<\/strong>, Lehman College &amp; The Graduate Center, City University of New York, Department of Anthropology.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Helen Beatriz Mack Chang<\/strong>, Myrna Mack Foundation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Victoria Fallon<\/strong>, GIDH Interdisciplinary Group.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rosa Emilia Salamanca<\/strong>, CIASE Corporation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pablo A. de la Vega M.<\/strong>, \u201cSegundo Montes Mozo SJ\u201d Human Rights Documentation Center (CSMM).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Luis Carlos Rodr\u00edguez de la Cruz<\/strong>, Consultancy for Human Rights and Displacement \u2013 CODHES.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lidia Ruiz Cuevas<\/strong>, Tierra Viva for the Indigenous Peoples of the Chaco \u2013 Paraguay.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Javier Mujica<\/strong>, Center for Public Policy and Human Rights (Peru EQUIDAD).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mariela Belski<\/strong>, Amnesty International.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ra\u00edsa Ortiz Cetra<\/strong>, ARTICLE 19 Brazil and South America.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jennie Dador Tozzini<\/strong>, former Executive Secretary of the Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adriana Ag\u00fcero<\/strong>, Tierraviva for the Indigenous Peoples of the Chaco. Claudia Herrmannsdorfer, Legal Team for Human Rights (Honduras).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Georgina Villalta<\/strong>, Network for Children and Adolescents of El Salvador (RIA).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Camila Barretto Maia<\/strong>, Global Initiative for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Socorro Apreza Salgado<\/strong>, School of Law, UNAM.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Daniela Urribarri<\/strong>, Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Luis Ra\u00fal Salvad\u00f3 Cardoza<\/strong>, Independent researcher.<\/li>\n<li><strong>M\u00e1ximo Ba Tiul<\/strong>, Nim Poqom Center for Reflection.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Otto Rivera<\/strong>, Consultant on the Rights of Children and Adolescents<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00c1lvaro Esteban Pop Ac<\/strong>, Naleb\u2019 Indigenous Organization (Guatemala).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ana Braconnier De Le\u00f3n<\/strong>, Rafael Land\u00edvar University.<\/li>\n<li><strong>\u00darsula Rold\u00e1n Andrade<\/strong>, Researcher at Rafael Land\u00edvar University (Guatemala).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hortensia V\u00e1squez Montes<\/strong>, REQUIA A.C. Equity and Art Network<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gabriella Citroni<\/strong>, Adjunct Professor of International Human Rights Law.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Julia Esccalante De Haro<\/strong>, RA\u00cdCES, Gender Analysis for Development.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda Esther Mogollon<\/strong>, Observatory on the Sexual and Reproductive Rights of People with Disabilities (ODISEX Peru).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mar\u00eda L\u00f3pez de la Rica<\/strong>, Kalli Luz Marina A.C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Luis Pedro Taracena<\/strong>, Rafael Land\u00edvar University (Guatemala).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Josseline Mendoza Aguilar<\/strong>, Orgullo Ecatepec A.C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gloria Careaga P\u00e9rez<\/strong>, Arcoiris Foundation for Respect for Sexual Diversity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jos\u00e9 Ra\u00fal P\u00e9rez Aguilar<\/strong>, Codisex Los Cabos A.C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Glaucia Marinho<\/strong>, Justi\u00e7a Global.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sof\u00eda Guandulain<\/strong>, Trans-D\u00edfusion A.C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diana Lepe<\/strong>, Services and Counseling for Peace.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ra\u00fal Mart\u00ednez Rojas<\/strong>, Michoac\u00e1n is Diversity Collective.<\/li>\n<li><strong>C\u00e9sar Augusto Espinosa de los Monteros S\u00e1nchez<\/strong>, Tijuana LGBTI Cultural Community A.C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>M\u00f3nica Luz Ahumada Aguilera<\/strong>, Mexican Network of Trans Women A.C.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Benjam\u00edn Gonz\u00e1lez Mauricio<\/strong>, Expert on Sexual Diversity for the State of Jalisco, Mexico.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Juan Mart\u00edn P\u00e9rez Garc\u00eda<\/strong>, Weaving Networks for Children in Latin America and the Caribbean<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wilfrido Isam\u00ed Salazar Rule<\/strong>, Justicia Disruptiva Mx<\/li>\n<li><strong>Romel Rub\u00e9n Gonz\u00e1lez D\u00edaz<\/strong>, Abya Yala Indigenous Coordination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":102856,"template":"","categories":[381],"class_list":["post-102858","comunicado-de-prensa","type-comunicado-de-prensa","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2026-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comunicado-de-prensa\/102858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comunicado-de-prensa"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comunicado-de-prensa"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102856"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}