Created by the Organization of American States in 1959, the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IAHCR) is one of the principal institutions dedicated to the defense of human rights in the Western Hemisphere. The effective promotion and protection of human rights by the IACHR depends on qualified and independent commissioners, transparency in the election process, and the active participation of civil society and other stakeholders in the Inter-American system. In this spirit, the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF), the Open Society Justice Initiative, and the Inter-American Dialogue are pleased to host an open forum with the candidates nominated by OAS member states to serve on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
In this forum, the candidates will engage in a moderated discussion and take questions from the public on the central challenges to human rights in the Americas and how the IACHR can work most effectively to address them. Of the six candidates, four will be elected by member states at the forthcoming OAS General Assembly in Medellin in June.
Follow this event through @The_Dialogue, @CEJIL and #YoVoto.
The moderators will be using questions collected from the public prior to the event. To submit a question, tweet at @The_Dialogue or @CEJIL with the hashtag #YoVoto by Monday, May 20.
WELCOME
Michael Shifter
President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)
OPENING REMARKS
Elsa Meany
Senior Program Officer, Center for Justice and International Law
SPEAKERS
Edgar Stuardo Ralón Orellana
Candidate, Guatemala
Everth Bustamante García (INVITED)
Candidate, Colombia
Esmeralda Arosemena de Trotiño
Candidate, Panama
Julissa Mantilla Falcón
Candidate, Peru
Margarette May Macaulay
Candidate, Jamaica
MODERATORS
Michael Camilleri
Director, Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program, Inter-American Dialogue (@camillerimj)
Katharine Valencia
Program Officer, Senior Legal Advisor, Due Process of Law Foundation
EVENT PARTNERS:
Please note that this event will be held in English and Spanish with simultaneous translation.