Reform of the human rights system of the OAS Reform of the human rights system of the OAS O ne of the major topics on the agenda of the recent OAS General Assembly meeting in Lima, Peru, was the direction the reform process should take within the OAS human rights mechanisms.
All parties seem to agree that reform is necessary, but unanimity ends there.
By the same token, they would restrict or eliminate access to the Inter-American Commission and Court by NGOs. Another group of countries, including Canada, the United States, Argentina and Colombia, are interested in making the Commission and Court more efficient and as effective as possible. In their view, this would mean, among other things, guaranteeing improved access for NGOs to the system and to the debate over the reform process itself. The second group was able to significantly influence the wording of the resolution at this General Assembly. The reform process will continue throughout the coming year, at least.