BACKGROUND AND MANDATE

Responding to a specific request on the part of the Organization of American States’ (OAS) General Assembly, (AG/RES. 1404 XXVI-O/96 and AG/RES 1480 XXVII-O/97), the Inter- American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) established the Special Rapporteurship on Migrant Workers and their Families in 1997. The creation of the Special Rapporteurship illustrates the interest that OAS Member States have on the condition of a group that is characterized by special vulnerabilities and that thus is particularly prone to endure human rights violations. The IACHR restricted the scope of action of the Special Rapporteurship exclusively to migrant workers and their families who live in countries of which they are not nationals.  

Special Rapporteur: The IACHR decided to appoint one of its seven Commissioners as Special Rapporteur on Migrant Workers and Their Families. It was determined that the Special Rapporteur would undertake his/her functions for a four-year period. During its first period (1997-2000) Colombian historian Álvaro Tirado was in charge of the Special Rapporteruship. Subsequently, in 2000 the IACHR designated in the position Argentine jurist and Professor Juan E. Méndez. In February 2004, the IACHR appointed Freddy Gutiérrez Trejo, a Venezuelan attorney and professor, as Special Rapporteur. In 2008, the IACHR appointed the current Rapporteur, Commissioner Felipe González, to a four year term.