{"id":8998,"date":"2021-03-02T16:49:10","date_gmt":"2021-03-02T16:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cejil.z.actotal.net\/?post_type=take-action&p=8998"},"modified":"2021-03-16T14:46:11","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T14:46:11","slug":"organizations-of-the-americas-demand-respect-for-the-autonomy-of-the-inter-american-commission","status":"publish","type":"take-action","link":"https:\/\/cejil.org\/en\/take-action\/organizations-of-the-americas-demand-respect-for-the-autonomy-of-the-inter-american-commission\/","title":{"rendered":"Organizations of the Americas demand respect for the autonomy of the Inter-American Commission"},"content":{"rendered":"

The OAS Secretary General\u00b4s decision undermines the IACHR\u2019s institutionality and puts its autonomy and independence at risk.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Americas, August 28, 2020.- We, the signatory organizations, users of the Inter-American system of protection of human rights, express our profound concern regarding the decision announced by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) not to renew the mandate of the Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).<\/p>\n

We consider that this decision undermines the IACHR\u2019s institutional framework, and puts its autonomy and independence at risk.<\/p>\n

Article 21 of the IACHR\u2019s Statute and Article 11 of its Rules of Procedure address the appointment of the person who occupies the Executive Secretary post. In both cases, the norms indicate the important role of the Inter-American Commission in this process. In particular, Article 21 of the Statute establishes that \u201cfor the Secretary General to be able to remove the Executive Secretary, he shall consult with the Commission and inform its members of the reasons for his decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the case at hand, the IACHR announced its decision to renew the contract of the Executive Secretary in January of this year. However, from the information that is publicly available, there is no evidence that there has been a process of prior consultation of the OAS Secretary General with the IACHR, in order to remove the Executive Secretary in conformity with the IACHR\u2019s Statute.<\/p>\n

According to the Secretary General, there is a report from the office of the Ombudsperson that reveals presumed irregularities in hiring and \u201ca systemic issue within the Commission that requires prompt corrective measures.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regarding this issue, the signatory organizations express our commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights of the staff of the Inter-American Commission, as well as in the creation of work environments that are free from all forms of harassment and discrimination.<\/p>\n

Likewise, we affirm the importance of appropriate complaint and reporting channels that are characterized by independence, transparency and are respectful of the rights to due process of the complainants as well as the accused, and which lead to corrective actions or corresponding sanctions where harassment or other irregularities exist, and try to avoid their repetition.<\/p>\n

In this sense, we make an urgent call for the application of the OAS Policy for the prevention and elimination of all forms of harassment in the workplace, that the general recommendations from the Ombudsperson\u2019s report are made public, while maintaining the confidentiality of the complainants, and that the process advances before the Office of the Inspector General so that the respective complaints can be processed with full observance of the previously-mentioned due process guarantees.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the signatory organizations call for reinforced guarantees to ensure the timely filing of complaints related to events that threaten a work environment free of discrimination and violence, and for the formulation of recommendations that promote a safe work environment.<\/p>\n

The signatory organizations recall that historically processes have been realized to strengthen the functioning of the Inter-American system to protect human rights, and, in that framework, regulatory reforms have been adopted to guarantee the autonomy and independence of the organs.<\/p>\n

In this context, one of the elements that guarantee the autonomy of the IACHR is precisely the preeminent role of the Commissioners in the appointment of the person that leads the Executive Secretariat via transparent, participatory and meritocratic processes, with ample civil society participation. This prerogative of the IACHR is fundamental to preserving its independence.<\/p>\n

In this sense, the signatory organizations call for dialogue, respecting the IACHR\u2019s principles of autonomy and independence, in order to ensure its effective functioning as a guarantee of the promotion and protection of human rights in the Americas.<\/p>\n

We urge the Secretary General of the OAS to refrain from interfering in the autonomy of the Inter-American Commission, to establish independent investigation channels that allow for an adequate course for the complaints that exist, thereby ensuring compliance with all the guarantees for the parties, transparency in public management, and eventually, if applicable, the determination of responsibility and reparation measures.<\/p>\n

Fill in the form to join the following organizations in this petition.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SIGNATORY ORGANIZATIONS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

International\/Global<\/strong><\/p>\n