Amnesty International to Participate in Hearings and Events at IACHR Sessions

Amnesty International will participate in public hearings on protests and security in Honduras and on limits of access to asylum in the United States, as well as side events on institutional violence and discrimination against women engaged in sex work in the Americas, and on women’s sexual and reproductive rights in Venezuela, during the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ 173^rd Period of Sessions from September 23 to October 2 in Washington DC.

Representatives of the organization will take part in the following events:

September 24:

Limitations on Access to Asylum and Refuge in the United States for Citizens of the Northern Triangle Countries (11:30 am – 12:30 pm)

A public hearing that will cover topics such as changes in credible fear standards, expedited removal proceedings and precedential case law.

IACHR headquarters, Rubén Dario room, 1889 F St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Sexual and reproductive rights during humanitarian crisis: Venezuelan women at risk (6:30 – 8 pm)

A side event focusing on the failures in the provision of health services and the construction of guidelines for a humanitarian response with a gender perspective.

Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, 1300 19th St NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036

September 25:

Violence and Security in the Context of the Social Protests in Honduras(11:30 am – 12:30 pm)

A public hearing on the recent protests in Honduras, with a focus on human rights, justice, international law and impunity.

Rubén Dario room, 1889 F St NW, Washington, DC 20006

September 26:

The right to defend rights in Latin America: Raising our voices and searching for best practices (2 – 6 pm)

A side event examining the alarming situation facing human rights defenders, and particularly environmental defenders, in the region, and the need to address the threats and attacks against them.

1800 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037

Institutional violence and discrimination in the context of sex work in the Americas (6 – 8 pm)

A side event examining the standards that states must adhere to in order to guarantee the human rights of cis-gender and trans women engaged in sex work across the region, prevent discrimination and protect them from gender-based violence. Nairovi Castillo, executive director of the Community of Dominican Trans and Transvestite Sex Workers, will be among the speakers.

Open Society Foundations, 1730 Pennsylvania Ave NW 700, Washington, DC 20006                                                                                                                                 

Amnesty International spokespeople are available for interviews.