First Annual Training Course on Inter-American Human Rights Systems Takes Place July 18-22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC, July 18, 2011 –American University Washington College of Law, in collaboration with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Costa Rican-based Inter-American Institute of Human Rights (IIDH), has organized the First Annual Training Course on the Inter-American Human Rights System, July 18-22, 2011. This year’s course features 26 participants from 13 countries -- Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

“Our law school is proud to play a significant role in filling this critical need for training in the region,” said Dean Claudio Grossman, who is also chair of the United Nations Committee against Torture.

The training course, designed for government officials specifically working in the capacity of representing the State in its use of international human rights mechanisms, is a new edition to the annual training for nongovernmental organizations held each October since 2006.

Conceived in response to numerous requests for support, the annual course has been developed as a one-week, intensive program designed to provide government officials with practical and hands-on experience in the Inter-American system. The training course will provide comprehensive and practical training for government officials in the functions and operation of the Inter-American Commission and Court on Human Rights. During the training, participants will learn about the Inter-American Commission’s processes, meet with Commissioners and staff attorneys within the Secretariat, and share best practices in working with the regional systems.

The program held its inaugural opening Monday, July 18, at the Commission headquarters. Participating in the opening ceremony were Dean Claudio Grossman, Pedro Nikken, Member of the Permanent Council, Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, and Roberto Cuellar, Executive Director, Inter-American Institute of Human Rights.

The program was developed in cooperation with the support of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights through the generous support of the Canadian International Development Agency, which has enabled the organizers to secure regional representation and partially fund the expenses of more than 20 of the participants.

Sessions are being held at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

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