IACHR Announces Public Hearing and Meeting with Civil Society in the Context of Its 186th Period of Sessions

February 8, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) invites civil society organizations, other institutions, and interested individuals to register for a hearing requested by the State of Mexico and a meeting with civil society concerning the situation of human rights in the United States. Both events are to take place during the IACHR's 186th Period of Sessions, set to be held in person at the facilities of the University of California, Los Angeles.

The thematic hearing "Progress and challenges in forensic searches in Mexico" is scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 3:00 pm till 4:15 pm (PST). This hearing has been requested by the State of Mexico, to publicize the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain in mass forensic searches, as well as to promote the public policies adopted in response to the country's obligation to search for missing persons—dead or alive—and to establish the identity of all individuals who were not identified at the time of their deaths.

The IACHR calls on civil society organizations, State institutions, and relatives of missing persons and their families to register online by February 15, 2023, at 11:59 pm (EST) to take part in this hearing. In keeping with Article 66 of the IACHR's Rules of Procedure, anyone interested will need to properly identify themselves and explain why they would like to take part in the hearing.

The Inter-American Commission will announce at a later date the list of organizations, State institutions, and individuals summoned to take part in this hearing. The IACHR invites any organizations who are not summoned to submit, in writing, any documentation or information they deem relevant to the topic of the hearing.

Meeting with civil society

On Friday, March 10, 2023, from 12:15 pm to 2:00 pm (PST), the IACHR is set to hold a meeting with representatives of civil society concerning the situation of human rights in the United States, in line with the Commission's mandate and with its Strategic Plan 2023–2027. Any organizations interested in taking part in this meeting will need to register by filling out this form in Spanish and English by 11:59 pm (EST) on February 20, 2023.

The organizations selected to take part in this meeting will receive all relevant details by email. Organizations who require interpretation services from English into Spanish or from Spanish into English will need to say so in the registration form.

All public hearings and meetings held by the IACHR during its periods of sessions are recorded, in compliance with the Commission's Rules of Procedure.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

This press release was edited on February 14, 2023.

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