Established in 2015 in response to the exigencies voiced by civil society, the Independent Panel was tasked with ensuring the transparency and visibility of the nomination and election processes concerning regional human rights commissioners and judges. Over the intervening years, it has meticulously supervised six distinct processes, culminating in the issuance of final reports in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023. For the past several years, the American University Washington College of Law has dutifully served as the Panel's Secretariat, garnering support from numerous NGOs, universities, and bar associations across the region. These collaborative entities are united by their unwavering dedication to fortifying the Inter-American Human Rights System, championing the principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusivity in the nomination and election processes, and advocating for the nomination of candidates distinguished by their qualifications and independence.
Independent Panel to Evaluate Candidates to the IAHRS Bodies
The mission of the Independent Panel to Evaluate Candidates to the Inter-American Human Rights System (IAHRS) Bodies is to enhance the standards and transparency governing the elections of commissioners and judges to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. This initiative underscores the commitment to refining the nomination and election procedures of commissioners and judges through the facilitation of an Independent Panel of Experts. These experts meticulously assess the qualifications of candidates aspiring to serve within the Inter-American Human Rights System. The American University Washington College of Law assumes a pivotal role in supporting the Independent Panel's endeavors by serving as its Secretariat.
In light of the forthcoming election of three new judges to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, a distinguished panel of experts has been assembled to oversee the transparency of the process and to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the candidates' credentials.