IV Inter-American System
| Published date | 01 March 1996 |
| Date | 01 March 1996 |
| DOI | 10.1177/092405199601400108 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Human Rights News
number
of
minority schools in Brasov and Kovasca in order to acquaint himself with the
situation on the spot.
From 21-23 January the High Commissioner made acquaintance with members
of
the
new Latvian Government, including Prime Minister Skele. The Government took office
a month earlier after a lengthy formation period which was due to the very fragmented
nature
of
the newly elected parliament. The High Commissioner also had discussions with
other officials, parliamentarians and representatives
of
non-governmental groups. In these
discussions several interlocutors raised the efforts by the From Fatherland and Freedom
party to restrict the possibilities for the numerous non-citizens (about one-third
of
the
population) to acquire Latvian citizenship. A draft law on State language also drew his
attention, because it would seriously limit the possibilities for using minority languages
in private and public life. The State Office for Human Rights even issued protests against
this draft law which could lead to an increase
of
inter-ethnic tensions in Latvia. The High
Commissioner also had a meeting with the resident representative
of
the UNDP in Riga
which has set up a large language-training project.
Immediately following his visit to Latvia, the High Commissioner travelled to Ukraine
for a visit from 23-27 January. The HCNM focused on issues related to the position
of
Crimea within the Ukrainian constitutional system. He also paid attention to the problems
of
the Tatar minority in the Crimea, in particular, its place within the draft constitution.
The Tatar minority has been highly dissatisfied with the role it has got within the Crimean
parliament.
IV INTER-AMERICAN SYSTEM
Cecilia Medina
Ratifications and Others
On 6 June 1995 El Salvador accepted the contentious jurisdiction
of
the Court. Up to that
date, there are 17 States which have made the declaration under Article 62
of
the
American Convention on Human Rights.
The Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (Protocol
of
San Salvador) has 3 ratifications (Ecuador, Panama and Suriname) and
the Protocol to the American Convention on Abolition
of
the Death Penalty also has 3
ratifications (Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela), as
of
January 1995. The first
of
these two
protocols will enter into force upon the 11th ratification or accession; the latter enters into
force for each State that ratifies or accedes to it at the time
of
the deposit
of
the respective
instrument at the OAS Secretariat.
The Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance
of
Persons, adopted in
Be16m
do Para, Brazil, on 9 June 1994 has 24 signatories States and 15 ratifications (Bahamas,
Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Venezuela).
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
On 18 September 1995, the Commission approved a draft on an Inter-American
Declaration on the Rights oflndigenous Peoples (OEA/Ser./LNIII.90, Doc. 9 rev.
1,20
September 1995) to be again presented to the States Members
of
the OAS for
91
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