Child Rights and the Inter-American System of Human Rights

Around the world there are different regional mechanisms which aim to promote and protect human rights, these include the African Union, the Council of Europe and the Inter-American System on Human Rights. This week's quiz is on the Inter-American System.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) held its 126th session between 16-27 October 2006 at the headquarters of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. During this session, the Commission held four hearings on children’s rights. The next session will take place between 26 February – 9 March 2006.

For more information, see CRIN's information page on the Inter-American System

Test your knowledge of children's rights in the Inter-American System below.

1. Which instrument in the inter-American System of Human Rights deals specifically with children?

A: The American Convention on Human Rights
B: The American Convention on Children's Rights
C: There is no specific instrument on children's rights

2. The Inter-American Commission is an autonomous organ of which inter-governmental body?

A: The Organization of American States (OAS)
B: MERCOSUR (Mercado Común del Sur)
C: The United Nations

3. Who is the Commission’s current Rapporteur on Children’s Rights?

A: Kofi Annan
B: José Miguel Insulza
C: Paulo Sergio Pinheiro

4. How often does the Commission meet?

A: Once a year
B: Twice a year
C: Four times a year

5. Which State in the Americas cannot participate in the Organisation of American States?

A: Cuba
B: Suriname
C: Chile

6. Which of the following cases of violations against children’s rights was the first to be presented before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights?

A: The case of five children who were murdered by police officers in Guatemala
B: Children detained in adult prisons in Honduras
C: Cases of sexual abuse against girls in Peru

7. In October 2005, a delegation led by Save the Children Sweden and the Andean Commission of Jurists requested a thematic hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on which issue?

A: Corporal punishment
B: Child labour
C: Discrimination against children

8. Which of the following countries has not been visited by the Rapporteur on Children’s Rights?

A: Costa Rica
B: Suriname
C: El Salvador

9. When comparing the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which of the following applies to the Inter-American Commission but not the UNCRC?

A: NGOs can submit reports
B: Individual cases in which children’s rights have been breached can be reported
C: States parties have to submit periodic reports specifically on children's rights

10. Why was a hearing held on El Salvador at the Commission's latest session?

A: The State was accused of failing to investigate and bring to justice perpetrators of widespread killings of women and girls
B: The State was held responsible for the unacceptable conditions of children's homes in the country
C: The State was accused of involvement in the disappearances of children