Part II Means of Protection, Ch.VI Competent Organs, Article 33

Abstract

This chapter examines Article 33 of the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR). In a nutshell, this article specifically identifies two protection bodies competent to deal with matters relating to the implementation by States Parties of their obligations under the Convention. The first organ is the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, composed of seven members and based in Washington D.C., United States. The second body competent to supervise the American Convention is the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, composed of seven judges and based in San José, Costa Rica. The Court was created by, and therefore finds its legal basis within, the ACHR. Chapter VIII of the American Convention (Articles 52 to 69) details the rules of organization, jurisdiction, functions, and procedure of the Inter-American Court. As in the case of the Inter-American Commission, these provisions are supplemented by the Statute of the Court, its Rules of Procedure, and Chapter IX of the Convention.