Increasing the protection and defense of human rights in the Americas Contract inherited from multiple actions, related to: Increasing the protection and defense of human rights in the Americas - The overall objective of this action is to improve the effectiveness and engagement of regional human rights instruments, mechanisms and structures for tasks not covered by other EU financing instruments. Regional human rights mechanisms are an essential dimension of the overall international human rights system and contribute to its effective functioning.Focus in this Action Document is on the regional human rights arrangements in two targeted regions, the Americas and Asia. Punctual action in Africa is not excluded, after careful examination of complementarity with the Regional MIP for Africa. Equally, should the opportunity arise to cooperate with other relevant human rights regional bodies in Asia the scope of this action could be extended to support them.In the Americas, the action aims to improve access to international justice for those women and men living in the most vulnerable situations whose rights have been violated and who have been unable to obtain a remedy at the national level. It will do so by strengthening the capacity of the two main institutions of the Inter-American Human Rights System: the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), mainly in case handling and in monitoring of compliance with judgments and implementation of provisional measures.&nbsp;In the case of Asia, the action may reinforce interactions with existing regional human rights mechanisms. The Venice Commission will support in particular developments in Central Asian countries. If opportunities arise, the action may develop a more systematic cooperation with key regional human rights bodies in the ASEAN context.&nbsp;The Venice Commission ¿&nbsp;¿the European Commission for Democracy through Law¿ ¿ is a constitutional matters advisory body. The Venice Commission has 69 member states, as well as 7 other members with a specific status (observer, special cooperation, associate member status) from all continents. It is a unique international body which facilitates dialogue between countries on different continents. Due to its reputation of independence and high level of expertise, it has become an important player and reference body contributing to strengthening the regional aspects of human rights protection in Latin America and Central Asia by promoting the rule of law, constitutional reforms, and fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as developing standards for the independence of the judiciary. The action will enable the Venice Commission to meet a growing number of requests for legal opinions on draft constitutional amendments or legislation. Legal opinions are the most emblematic and high profile outputs of the Venice Commission, yet it also supports democratization and human rights in laws and regulations through softer ways: advice, technical assistance, comparative law studies, amicus curiae brief.Under the Multiannual Indicative Programme, this action will contribute to the implementation of priority 3, promoting a global system for human rights and democracy, priority 1, protecting and empowering individuals, and priority 2, building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies. It will therefore directly contribute to the achievement of SDG 16, peace, justice and strong institutions.As induced effect, it will also be significantly contributing to the achievement of SDG 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, SDG 10; Reduce inequality within and among countries and SDG 17: strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development