Ban urges financial support for Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Unless more governments in the Americas contribute to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, its invaluable work will come to a halt, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said.

In a statement from his spokesperson , the Secretary-General urged all member States of the Organization of American States (OAS) “to reaffirm their commitment to human rights by strengthening the Commission and ensuring its long-term financial sustainability.”

The Commission has become a key actor in the protection and promotion of human rights in the Americas and worldwide, often representing “the last resort of justice for victims of human rights violations in the region,” according to the statement.

Without additional resources, the Commission will lay off essential personnel and significantly reduce its operational capacity.

The Commission is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. Created in 1959, it has headquarters in Washington, D.C., and is composed of seven independent members who serve in a personal capacity.