Minister of Foreign Affairs Alberto van Klaveren inaugurates the 157th Ordinary Period of Sessions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren, and the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Ricardo Pérez Manrique, today led the installation ceremony of the 157th Ordinary Session of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

The Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Luis Cordero, the President of the Constitutional Court, Nancy Yáñez, and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, Juan Eduardo Fuentes, also took part in the ceremony, which was held at the Chilean Foreign Ministry. The former President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, were also present.

"This act of installation of the Inter-American Court is a good opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the State of Chile to the work of the Court. Respect for and compliance with its judgments is a central task in demonstrating that commitment," said the Minister.

In this regard, he highlighted the impact that the work of the IACHR Court has had on the country. "The fifteen judgments that the Court has pronounced against Chile are a good example of substantive advances that allow us to visualise the transforming influence that the Court's jurisprudence has," he said.

"Chile expresses its willingness to continue supporting and collaborating with the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights, a commitment that takes concrete force in this act of installation, and that begins this one hundred and fifty-seventh Regular Session of the Court," concluded the Minister.

The opening ceremony also included a posthumous tribute to former Vice-President and former judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Eduardo Vio Grossi.

During the session, which began today and will run until 28 April, three public hearings will be held on contentious cases, as well as private hearings and a visit to supervise compliance with judgments.

Signing of the agreement

Prior to the installation ceremony, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights held a protocol hearing, in which they signed a cooperation framework agreement between the two institutions, which seeks to strengthen relations, deepen the knowledge of the law and disseminate international instruments for the promotion and defence of human rights.

To this end, the agreement includes the holding of congresses, seminars, colloquiums, symposiums, conferences, professional practices or internships for officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Inter-American Court, as well as joint legal and research activities, with the aim of improving the administration of justice.