PRESS RELEASE

Nº 1/06

THE IACHR AND ITS RAPPORTEURHIP ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN WELCOME JAMAICA’S RATIFICATION OF THE CONVENTION OF BELÉM DO PARÁ

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and its Rapporteurship on the Rights of Women (Rapporteurship) welcome Jamaica’s ratification on December 15, 2005 of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, the “Convention of Belém do Pará”. Through this important initiative, Jamaica has reinforced the status of the Convention of Belém do Pará as the most widely ratified instrument in the inter-American human rights system, with thirty-two ratifications by Member States of the Organization of American States. 

In this regard, the IACHR and its Rapporteurship have consistently urged Member States to strengthen their efforts to ensure the adequate protection of the rights of women and girls to live free from violence and discrimination and to effectively access justice.  The Commission considers that ratification and implementation of the Convention of Belém do Pará constitute crucial elements in achieving this goal.  By joining the treaty, Jamaica has contributed significantly to the advancement of the rights of women in our Hemisphere and to the universalization of the inter-American Human Rights system.

Washington, D.C.  January 5, 2006