Conectas calls on Brazil to support strengthening the OAS Human Rights Commission

The intention is to ask for clarifications from the Brazilian government on the positions it has been adopting in the Special Working Group created to strengthen the system, particularly with respect to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

 

“The Commission cannot be reduced to merely a technical or advisory body. It performs a fundamental role in the protection of victims of human rights violations and it must have its independence guaranteed, even when its recommendations are in contrast with the interests of the State,” said Lucia Nader, the executive director of Conectas.

 

In the document, Conectas expressed particular concern with the idea defended by Brazil that the precautionary measures issued by the Commission should be recommendatory only, a move that would undermine a mechanism that “has helped save countless lives in Latin America, prevent irreparable damage and protect the rights of victims”.

 

The organization also recognized, in the document, the need for the Commission’s budget to observe the criteria of “predictability and sufficiency”, as defended by the Brazilian government, but emphasized that regular financial contributions of States and the autonomy of the Commission to manage its own budget are vital to safeguard the independence and effectiveness of the action of the Inter-American System of Human Rights.