Notes on the Inter-American System

• The Inter-American Court on Human Rights (IACHR) or "the Court"
  Article 1 defines the Court as "an autonomous judicial institution whose purpose is the application and interpretation of the American Convention on Human Rights."  The Court has adjudicatory and advisory jurisdiction. As regards its adjudicatory jurisdiction, only the Commission and the States Parties to the Convention are empowered to submit cases concerning the interpretation and application of the Convention.  In addition, in order that a case against a State Party to be brought before the Court, the State Party must recognize the jurisdiction of the Court.  As regards the advisory function of the Court, Article 64 of the Convention provides that any member state of the Organization may consult the Court on the interpretation of the Convention or of other treaties on the protection of human rights in the American states.  The Court was officially installed in San José, Costa Rica, where it has its seat, on 3 September 1979.
  
• The American Convention on Human Rights
  In 1969, the American Convention on Human Rights was adopted. The Convention entered into force in 1978. As of August of 1997, it has been ratified by 25 countries.  The Convention defines the human rights which the ratifying States have agreed to respect and ensure. The Convention also creates the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and defines the functions and procedures of both the Commission and the Court.
  
• The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
  "The Commission" is one of two bodies in the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission has its headquarters in Washington, D.C.  It is an autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is found in the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Commission represents all of the member States of the OAS and is a permanent body that meets in ordinary and special sessions several times a year.