Message from the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Judge Nancy Hernández López
On behalf of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, I want to thank Barbados for the invitation to hold the 166th Session of the Court in its territory. This initiative will allow us to strengthen the bonds between the Court, Barbados, and the countries of the Caribbean, and, at the same time, stands as a testimony to Barbados’ commitment to the promoting and protecting Human Rights.
The Inter-American Court is an International Tribunal dedicated to applying and interpreting the American Convention on Human Rights and other human rights treaties. It encompasses three functions: a contentious function, the power to issue provisional measures, and issue Advisory Opinions. In this regard, on January 9, 2023, the Republics of Colombia and Chile submitted to the Court a request for an Advisory Opinion on Climate Emergency and Human Rights.
During the Session in Barbados, a portion of the scheduled public hearings will convene to consider the observations presented on this Advisory Opinion by States, International Organizations, academia, non-governmental organizations, civil society institutions, and individuals concerned about this issue. These public hearings will take place on April 23, 24, and 25.
I wish to emphasize that this is the Advisory Opinion has garnered the highest number of observations ever received in the history of the Court, totaling 260. This reflects the paramount importance of the issue. Moreover, being part of these hearings in Barbados carries special significance, given that the Caribbean region and its island countries are among those most affected by the climate emergency.
Furthermore, on the afternoon of April 22, a Public Seminar on the challenges of Human Rights in the Americas and especially in the Caribbean region will be held. The hearing for the Advisory Opinion and the Seminar will take place at the University of the West Indies, in the auditorium of the Business School on the Sagicor Cave Hill campus. All activities are free of charge with prior registration. Information for registration will be available on the official pages of the Inter-American Court.