Regional Complaint mechanisms

At the regional level, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the African Union (AU) have established mechanisms for individual complaints against human rights violations. Below you will find a brief description of each of the mechanisms, along with links to their websites, where further information may be gathered.

Under the Organization of American States
 

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) – A body formed for the promotion and protection of human rights, the Commission has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., United States. The Commission meets several times a year to examine allegations of human rights violations in the Americas. It can receive and evaluate cases submitted by individuals alleging torture. Homepage with versions in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.
 

Inter-American Court of Human Rights - Located in San José, Costa Rica. The Court serves to interpret and enforce the American Convention on Human Rights. Cases must be submitted to the Court by the IACHR or by states. Homepage with versions in English and Spanish.

Under the Council of Europe
 

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) - The Committee's function is to examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty with a view to strengthening, if necessary, the protection of such persons from torture and from inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The CPT can receive and evaluate cases submitted by individuals alleging torture. Homepage with versions in several languages.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) - The Court is charged with interpreting and enforcing the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The ECHR can receive and evaluate cases submitted by individuals alleging torture. Homepage in English and French.

Under the African Union
 

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights – The Commission is charged with ensuring the promotion and protection of Human and Peoples' Rights throughout the African Continent, with interpreting the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and with hearing individual complaints that allege violations of the Charter. The Commission has its headquarters in Banjul, the Gambia. Homepage with versions in English and French.