Since our inception, one of our main focuses has included strengthening the core functions and effectiveness of the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights. For over 25 years, we´ve issued recommendations and proposals to develop transparent and simplified procedures to ensure that the IAHRS can provide the most vulnerable groups across the region easy access to international courts and legislation; as well as with information on effective instruments for protection from and response to serious human rights violations.

In our Position Papers (see publications below) we have discussed these multiple approaches, including how some procedures should change; how to improve the system of precautionary measures; how to solve the procedural backlog faced by the IACHR and the Court; and how to improve the development of standards or the necessary legitimization of these bodies, so that more people can enjoy their rights.

We are also committed to promoting the value of IAHRS through different groups of jurists, organizations, students, journalists, not only from the Americas but from around the world.

For example, the creation of SUMMA, an online database of jurisprudence of the IAHRS, allows people from across the globe to gain further understanding on the role of Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights and access all information regarding their rulings issued to date.

CEJIL plays a key role in the IASHR. Our work is not only reflected at the procedural level, within the Inter-American Court or Commission, but we also sponsor and participate in events such as the first IASHR Forum, which took place in Washington, D.C.; denouncing corruption at the VIII Summit of the Americas, in Lima; building advocacy capacity at the General Assembly of the OAS , or increasing awareness on the importance of in-country visits by the IACHR.

However, despite the unquestionable value and importance of the IAHRS in the Americas for its role safeguarding human rights, the System has experienced several moments of crisis, either by attacks against the human rights bodies of the IAHRS by detractors or by a decreasing availability of funds.

At CEJIL, we have always categorically stated that despite the structural weaknesses the System suffers, its existence and its work are essential for the defense of human rights in the region.

The IAHRS is a useful tool in protecting the lives of millions of people throughout the continent, especially those found living in situations of vulnerability and exclusion.

For these reasons, we started at the end of 2012 a regional campaign called “It is time to defend the IAHRS”. With the participation of many organizations and human rights defenders from across the region, and with the technical assistance of the Colombian channel Canal Capital, CEJIL developed a video series that was broadcast live and denounced the attacks made by several States against the Inter-American Commission and Court. Through the testimony of different victims of human rights violations on the continent, we underscored the critical role played by the IAHRS in protecting our human rights.

In more recent years, the System experienced a serious financial crisis. This led the Inter-American Commission and Court to ask States to maintain their contributions in order for both organs continue functioning. As a result, civil society rushed to support this demand in international settings by requesting the Organization of American States to increase the budget allocated to both bodies to ensure their sustainability.