Chronique des Décisions Rendues par la Cour Interaméricaine des Droits de L'Homme (2008/2009) (Inter-American Court of Human Rights' Case-Law Review (2008/09))

Abstract:     
In 2008-2009, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights adopted an advisory opinion together with about forty rulings in litigious cases. They concern forced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, denial of justice. Moreover, the Court had to deal with new issues such as cases regarding phone taping or the social protection of individuals. The case-law analyzed in this paper shows that the Court continues to interpret the American Convention in adopting a pro victima posture. However, the paper underlines some of the jurisprudence’ new features that may seem to be backward steps. For instance, the Court discontinues referring to the aggravated responsibility of the States for serious violations, without any explanation. The rulings of the Court regarding reparation are quite confusing as well and may affect the coherence and consistency of the reparation regime in inter-American law. Another example deals with the new structure of the cases rendering the rulings very confusing and hard to read. The global impression expressed in the paper is that the Inter-American Court adopted on certain important matter a backward and sometimes confusing jurisprudence.

Note: Downloadable document is in French.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 38

Keywords: human rights, inter-American Court, American Convention on Human Rights

JEL Classification: K33

Accepted Paper Series