Suriname and the Inter-American Human Rights System

This article on the Inter-American Human Rights System, gives a detailed historic overview of the establishment of the O.A.S. and mainly of the two organs in our Western Hemisphere that are charged with the promotion and supervision of the observance of human rights, namely: the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Interesting focus points in this article are among others:

- The discrepancy in (legal) status of O.A.S. member-states with regard to the two principal organs and the human rights instruments that are applicable to each state (Declaration states and Convention states).

- The jurisdiction of the Commission and the Court with regard to human rights violations that took place in member-states, based on their respective status within the system.

- The view of several Caribbean member-states with regard to Reports issued by the Commission and with regard to decisions rendered by the Court. The different views regarding capital punishment are discussed briefly. Also briefly discussed is Trinidad and Tobago's annulment of its membership of the American Convention on Human Rights, being the first state in the world ever to annul a human rights treaty.

- The Advisory jurisdiction of the Court and its importance for the jurisprudence in our Hemisphere. A brief comparison with the European Court of Human Rights.

- A brief discussion of the other regional human rights instruments adopted by the O.A.S. during its existence, within the framework of protecting and promoting human rights in the region.

The article was published in April 2002 by Eric P. Rudge LL.M., a Romulo Gallegos Fellow (2000-2001) at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, one of the principal organs of the Organization of American States.

Suriname and the Inter-American Human Rights System contains basic information of the human rights system of our hemisphere and will serve adequately to get anyone interested in the O.A.S., acquainted with the system.

Ambassador Henry L. Illes
Washington, DC, July 2002

In order to obtain a copy of this interesting Article in English and Dutch, please talk to Mrs. Cora Gonzales at the Embassy of Suriname in Washington DC or sent an electronic mail message.
Phone: 202 244 7488
E-mail: esuriname@aol.com

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