The Commission has received renewed mandates in recent years relating to the institutionalization of civil society, democratization, and the need for increasing vigilance over the rights of the mentally or physically challenged, indigenous peoples, women, and other disadvantaged minorities in the Hemisphere. The activities of the Commission are constantly expanding as the need for its services increases, and it enjoys great respect throughout the Hemisphere. The integrity of our justice system has been increasingly questioned. No government, region or subregion can risk a loss in credibility to its judicial system. Serious and perhaps irreparable social consequences will inevitably result.
Justice is at the heart of our social order.
This has been a major concern for the Organization. On March 1 st this year in San Jose, Costa Rica, the Ministers of Justice of the Hemisphere will establish a justice center for the Americas. The conceptualization and architecture of the justice center was the work of the Organization. The establishment of the Center will be a significant step for jurisprudence in the Hemisphere. The Center will work towards the consolidation and advancement of jurisprudence in the region.