PRESS RELEASE

Nş 2/04

 

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF IACHR VISITS REPUBLIC OF BOLIVIA

 

 

Text Box: CIDH01679E04

 

          The Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Dr. Santiago A. Canton, will visit the Republic of Bolivia from February 16 through 20 at the invitation of the Government of Bolivia and in response to a resolution of the Honorable National Congress, which recommended that “the Executive request that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States be present to assist with the investigation” of the events of October 2003.

 

 

The Executive Secretary will meet with officials of the Bolivian Government, members of the Judiciary and the Legislature, and civil society organizations.  As is customary, this opportunity will also be taken to hold working meetings with Bolivian officials.

 

During the 119th regular session of the IACHR, which will be held in Washington, D. C., from February 23 to March 12 of this year, Dr. Canton will report to the IACHR on the outcome of his visit.

 

The IACHR is the body within the Organization of American States whose principal function is to promote the observance and defense of human rights and to advise the Organization in this area.  Its authority stems from the American Convention on Human Rights and the OAS Charter, instruments both ratified by the Republic of Bolivia.  The Executive Secretary will be accompanied by Dr. Ignacio Álvarez and Dr. Débora Benchoam, attorneys at the Executive Secretariat.

 

 

Washington, D.C., February 13, 2004