Part II Means of Protection, Ch.VIII Inter-American Court of Human Rights, s.3 Procedure, Article 66

Abstract

This chapter focuses on Article 66 of the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR). Article 66 of the ACHR contains crucial elements of the adjudicating performance of the Inter-American Court. The first paragraph establishes the principle that reasons must be given for the Court's judgments, while under the second paragraph, the judges who participated in the formation of the judgment may attach a separate opinion, whether concurring or dissenting, to the Court's decisions. These elements are set out and clarified in Article 65 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court. These two provisions, therefore, undoubtedly refer to the key-question of the quality of justice rendered by the Inter-American Court. This must be clear, accessible, and intelligible, in particular for the victim, the defendant State, and more broadly, all States Parties to the ACHR. The legitimacy of the body and, ultimately, its persuasive authority are also at stake.