page_title: Inter-American Court of Human Rights
section_title: Purpose and functions
hierarchical_section_title: Inter-American Court of Human Rights / Purpose and functions
caption_attribution_description: English: Members of the IACHR. Burgundy - accept blanket jurisdiction of the court Coral - signatories not accepting full juristdiction Yellow - former members
context_page_description: The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is an autonomous judicial institution based in the city of San José, Costa Rica. Together with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, it makes up the human rights protection system of the Organization of American States, which serves to uphold and promote basic rights and freedoms in the Americas. The Court rules on whether a State has violated an individual's human rights, rather than if individuals are guilty of human rights violations.
context_section_description: The Organization of American States established the Court in 1979 to enforce and interpret the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights. Its two main functions are thus adjudicatory and advisory. Under the former, it hears and rules on the specific cases of human rights violations referred to it. Under the latter, it issues opinions on matters of legal interpretation brought to its attention by other OAS bodies or member states.
caption: Members of the IACHR. 
  Burgundy - accept blanket jurisdiction of the court
  Coral - signatories not accepting full juristdiction
  Yellow - former members
exif: {}