IACHR
Press Release
IACHR Concludes Week-Long Training Course for Human Rights Defenders in Peru
July 9, 2019
IACHR Press and Communication Office
Tel: +1 (202) 370-9000
cidh-prensa@oas.org
Lima, Peru - The week-long training course for human rights defenders organized by the IACHR in partnership with the Instituto de Democracia y Derechos Humanos at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (IDEHPUCP) and with the support from the Dirección General de Cooperación del Gobierno de las Islas Baleares (GOIB) ended on July 5.
This on-site course began with a panel discussion that was open to the public, the speakers at which included Commissioner Francisco Eguiguren; the Vice-Minister of Human Rights and Access to Justice, Daniel Sánchez Velásquez; the Dean Emeritus of the PUCP, Salomón Lerner Febres; Professor David Lobatón; and Ana María Vidal, Assistant Executive Secretary of the National Coordinator for Human Rights of Peru.
Over the five days of this initial stage of the course, some 60 participants shared their experiences and knowledge on the predicament of human rights defenders in the Americas with specialists from the Executive Secretariat and discussed the petition and case system, precautionary measures, friendly solutions, and the role of IACHR monitoring and follow-up on recommendations.
Teaching staff from the PUCP who are experts on human rights issues addressed issues such as inter-American standards on the protection of women and indigenous peoples. Participants also heard testimonies from professors and representatives from civil society organizations about their experiences in the strategic use of the Inter-American System of Human Rights (IASHR).
“The aim of this course is to strengthen the capacities of human rights defenders and increase the protection of human rights throughout the region by improving knowledge of IASHR mechanisms,” said Commissioner Eguiguren.
Those who took part in the course expressed their satisfaction with the week-long session in Peru. “This course has taught me what I need to know to access the IASHR and defend my community’s rights. I’m leaving here fully committed to passing on what I’ve learned to my people,” said one human rights defender from an indigenous community.
The second stage of the course entails attendees passing on the course contents to their organizations or communities, with online support from IACHR experts. To guarantee a multiplier effect around the course contents, they must share these with at least ten other people at a four-hour training session within 45 days of the in-person program.
The IACHR wishes to express its appreciation over the high levels of interest in this training course, as evidenced by the 2953 applications that were received. This confirms how interested people are in the IASHR and how committed they are to consolidating it to promote and guarantee human rights for all people living in 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.
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. 170/19