Project

Training of Justice System Professionals to Litigate before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

Grantee: Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Chile

The aim of the project was to increase victims’ access to international justice through the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, following an amendment of the court’s rules of procedure to improve the victims’ access to legal representation. The project focused on upgrading the technical and legal advocacy skills of justice system professionals for the promotion and protection of human rights and improving their understanding of international human rights standards. It also focused on raising awareness of the 100 Rules of Brasilia Regulations, and the Inter-American Human Rights System.
This was the first initiative in the region aimed specifically at training Inter-American Defenders. The beneficiary groups acknowledged that they have gained a better understanding of the Inter-American Human Rights system at the regional and national level and that their capacity to litigate before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, an increasingly specialized and complex process, had qualitatively improved.

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Lessons from Project

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Expectations and demands arose that posed challenges for the implementing partners. The beneficiaries considered the training as a first step. The project made them realized they need to receive further training covering a variety of aspects of their work as defenders specialized in international human rights. Despite the success of the project it appears, however, that the need for a sound strategy for sustainability and consolidation has not been addressed.

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Participants reported that the project transformed their point of view and work practices and convinced them that proper interpretation of the law, considering international human rights standards is fundamental to protecting the rights of individuals. Several countries have succeeded in replicating the courses. The beneficiaries are convinced that the process has helped build democracy in the Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay, and they are willing to get involved in creating new venues for regional networking.

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The professional competence and the quality of the infrastructure provided by the grantee was excellent The grantee made available a modern E-learning platform for the online phase of the international human rights training courses and personalized assistance to the beneficiaries. This methodological approach yielded excellent academic results, striking a balance between the online and in-person training.

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All beneficiaries received a sound theoretical foundation and had the opportunity to combine this with practical experience such as participation in court hearings, and exchanges with the judges of the court and public defenders from other countries of the region. These activities enriched their professional experience and gave them better tools for appearing before the court. The quality of the assistance offered by the grantee’s technical team, as well as the academic level of the publications and course materials, contributed to the effectiveness of the activities.

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