PRESS RELEASE

No. 38/02

On Monday, September 2, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will start its 115th special session in San José, Costa Rica.  Attending the session are: Dr. Juan E. Méndez, President; Lic. Marta Altolaguirre, First Vice President; Dr. José Zalaquett, Second Vice President; Members of the Commission Professor Robert K. Goldman, Dr. Julio Prado Vallejo, Dr. Clare Kamau Roberts and Dr. Susana Villarán; and the Executive Secretary of the IACHR, Dr. Santiago A. Canton.

          During the session, the Inter-American Commission will analyze various matters relating to the human rights situation in the Americas.  In particular, it will continue studying and discussing a draft report on terrorism and human rights.  The purpose of that report is to help OAS member states adopt appropriate standards for combating terrorism while respecting the minimum guarantees established in international law.

Moreover, as has been the custom in recent years, the IACHR will hold a joint meeting with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.  That meeting will be devoted to consideration of procedural matters and other topics of common interest to the two bodies.

Protocolary meetings will also be held with representatives of the Government of Costa Rica and other meetings will take place with representatives of various organizations involved in the protection and promotion of human rights.  Thus, working meetings have been scheduled between the IACHR and the Human Rights Committee of the Canadian Senate, with representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and with Penal Reform International.

The IACHR is an organ of the OAS, created to promote the observance of human rights in all states in the Americas.  It is composed of seven jurists, who are independent experts elected in a personal capacity by the member states of the Organization.

Washington, D.C., August 30, 2002