The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), founded in 1959, is one of the principal organs of the Organization of American States. The Commission is empowered to receive complaints from individuals, organizations and groups alleging violations of human rights in any of the member states of the OAS, and to make findings of fact and recommendations designed to effect the vindication of those rights.

The primary task of this Section of the IJLL is to alert the readers either to comparative legislative developments in a particular subject area or to highlight a single major piece of legislation which is likely to have an impact or influence on other than a national forum. It will also attempt to survey international acts and documents affecting the relations within the community of nations as well as the legislative programs and policy of the states involved.

Materials intended for publication in this Section should be sent to the Section Editor, Dr. Ivan Sipkov, European Law Division, Law Library, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 (U.S.A.). They will be published, upon acceptance, under the contributor's name.