OEA/Ser.L/V/II.54
Doc. 9 rev. 1
16 October 1981
Original: Spanish

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
 1980-1981

 

INTRODUCTION

 

          The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has the honor to submit its report to the General Assembly, in compliance with the provisions of Article 52 f of the Charter of the Organization of American States.

 

          This report contains five chapters and has been prepared in accordance with Resolution 331 (VIII-0/80) of the General Assembly and Article 59 of the new Regulations of the Commission.

 

          Chapter I is a brief summary of the Commission's origin and juridical bases. It also contains the discussion of the development of the Commission as an organ of the inter-American system. Likewise, the chapter contains a brief account of the Commission's relationship with other organs of the inter-American system and regional and global institutions of a similar nature during 1980 and 1981.

 

          Chapter II refers to the activities undertaken by the Commission during the period covered by this Report. Along this line, emphasis is placed on the Commission's principal activities, as well as the subjects it dealt with and the most important measures adopted during the sessions held over the two years. In addition, it includes a summary version of the observation in loco carried out in Nicaragua, the participation by the Commission in the tenth regular session of the General Assembly, and the resolutions adopted by this body concerning the work of the Commission in the field of human rights.

 

          Chapter III is entitled “Observations the Commission considers to be appropriate on the communications it has received.” This chapter contains several resolutions adopted by the IACHR regarding specific cases presented to it, which the Commission processed in accordance with its Regulations.

 

          Chapter IV is entitled “Information provided by certain governments of the member states of the OAS on the progress made in achieving the objectives set forth in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and in the American Convention on Human Rights.” This chapter contains the legislative measures on human rights enacted in five member states during the period covered in this Report. These countries are: Brazil, Ecuador, Honduras, Uruguay and Venezuela. It should be noted here that in order to undertake preparation of this report, the Commission addressed the government of the member states of the Organization at the appropriate time to request that they provide it with information on the progressive measures adopted and the texts of the legislation enacted and of the jurisprudence and administrative acts issued during the period covered by this Report regarding the promotion and defense of those human rights recognized in the pertinent multilateral juridical instruments of the OAS.

 

          Chapter V deals with the “General situation of human rights in the member states of the OAS and areas in which further steps are needed to give effect to the human rights set forth in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man and the American Convention on Human Rights.” It should be pointed out that in adopting the criteria contained in this chapter, the Commission feels that it complies with Resolution 510 of the Tenth General Assembly of the OAS, by considering in a general manner specific problems which have occurred during the period covered by this Report.

 

          Finally, the Commission would like to note that this report covers those events which occurred between the adoption of its previous annual report presented to the Tenth General Assembly held in Washington during the month of November of 1980, and the beginning of the 54th regular session of the Commission, on October 8, 1981.

[ Table of Contents | Previous | Next ]