** IACHR Calls for Participation in Thematic Public Hearings During the 187th Period of Sessions

May 31, 2023

Washington, D.C.- The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) invites civil society organizations, institutions, States, and interested individuals to register to participate in one of the two public ex officio hearings on persons deprived of their liberty in Jamaica and cooperation on human mobility in the region, which will be held virtually during the 187th Period of Sessions between July 10 and 21, 2023.

1. * Situation of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty in Jamaica

The thematic country hearing will be held on Tuesday 11^th of July of 2023 at 9:00AM to 10:30AM (E.S.T.), to gather information on the rights of persons deprived of liberty in Jamaica and to draw attention on the experiences and challenges faced by persons deprived of liberty in the recognition and exercise of their rights in the Caribbean region.

2. Progress and challenges in coordination and international cooperation for the protection of the rights of persons in human mobility in the region

This regional thematic hearing will be held on Wednesday 12^th of July of 2023 at 8:45AM to 10:00AM (E.S.T.) and is carried out with the objective of receiving information on good practices and challenges regarding the shared responsibilities between the States of the region and actors such as civil society, international, human rights and economic or financial organizations, among others, in the face of the situation of refugees and migrants in contexts of human mobility.

Those who wish to participate in one of the two public hearings indicated in this press release must register through the electronic system (English, Spanish) until June 7, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (E.S.T.). 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 promptly announce the list of organizations, institutions, and persons convened to participate in each hearing. Likewise, those who are not summoned are invited to submit in writing the documentation and information they consider relevant in relation to the subject of the hearings.

These public hearings will take place on Zoom and will have interpretation services both from Spanish into English and from English into Spanish and will be recorded for the purposes of the provisions of its regulations.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate derives from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission is mandated to promote the observance of human rights in the region and to act as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is composed of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

* The deadline to register for the public hearing "Situation of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty in Jamaica" is extended until June 13, 2023 at 23:59 hours (E.S.T.), through this system (English, Spanish).

** This press release was modified on June 9, 2023.

No. 105/23

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