Activists criticize changes in IACHR proposed by the OAS

Human rights activists in Latin America have expressed concern and unease over the decision of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS), comprised by the 35 countries of the western hemisphere, to approve a working paper which proposes some changes in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

The document drafted by a working group headed by Joel Hernández, the Mexican Ambassador to OAS, suggests that the IACHR should only grant precautionary measures for victims of violations of fundamental rights once it has given notice to the relevant national authorities. Further, when such notice is not given, a qualified majority of seven members should adopt the decision.

The proposal was rejected by 80 NGOs and activists in the region. They warned in a statement released on Wednesday that such requirement could "slow down" the process to agree on special measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of those denouncing abuses, thus increasing the risk they face.

The group also suggested that the reform seeks to reduce the functions of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, which has been widely criticized by the Venezuelan government and other countries in recent years.