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Guatemala - On the occasion of the Second Meeting for the Exchange of Good Practices for National Human Rights Institutions, held on November 13 and 14 in Guatemala, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) signed a Declaration of Commitment on Technical Cooperation and the creation of a Mechanism of Points of Contact with the Office of the Human Rights Procurator of Guatemala, the Office of the Human Rights Procurator of El Salvador, the National Human Rights Commissioner of Honduras, the Office of the Ombudsman of Colombia, and the National Institute of Human Rights of Chile.

The signatory organizations have agreed to create a Mechanism of Contact Focal Points with the objective of generating coordinated information exchange processes, broadening the channels of independent participation of NHRIs in the IACHR's mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights, and developing technical cooperation projects.

Likewise, the IACHR and the signatory NHRIs have committed themselves to organize and participate in at least one annual working meeting and follow-up to the Declaration of Commitment, as well as to identify work themes and joint measures and actions between the IACHR and the NHRIs by virtue of the validity of this Declaration of Commitment.

In closing the event, Commissioner Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitiño highlighted "the important role of National Institutions as autonomous, independent and pluralistic bodies for the promotion and protection of human rights in the States of the region. She also pointed out that "in accordance with its mandate and in compliance with its Strategic Plan, the IACHR intends to disseminate its standards and recommendations, provide technical support, and strengthen relations with the National Human Rights Institutions of the OAS member states.

The IACHR, within the framework of the mandate established in Article 106 of the OAS Charter and Article 41 of the American Convention on Human Rights, and in compliance with its Strategic Plan 2017-2021, is strengthening ties with the NHRIs in order to improve information channels and offer the technical assistance necessary to strengthen the efforts that the institutions make in the effective fulfillment of human rights in each of the countries of the region. In this regard, the Declaration is open for signature by all National Human Rights Institutions of the Americas.

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.

No. 246/18