Brazil's Commitment to Human Rights and the Inter-American System
By Fabio de Sa e Silva*
We are living through a particularly challenging time for human rights in the Americas. Beyond the persistent violations affecting Indigenous peoples, Black communities, women, LGBTQIA+ persons, migrants, human rights defenders, and many other vulnerable groups, the continent is facing a broader crisis marked by the weakening of multilateralism and the growing difficulty of achieving consensus within states, between them, and even within the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
It is in this context that the Brazilian government has presented my candidacy to the IACHR for the 2026–2029 term. This is a nomination that reflects Brazil’s commitment to democratic values and to strengthening the Inter-American System precisely at a time when its relevance, legitimacy, and operational capacity must be reaffirmed.
The IACHR is a vital institution for the protection and promotion of human rights across our continent. Since its creation in 1959, within the framework of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commission has contributed to the recognition and redress of human rights violations, the consolidation of normative standards, and the institutional strengthening of states through its decisions, thematic rapporteurships, and on-site visits.
I bring to this candidacy a multidisciplinary background, multicultural experience, knowledge of legal systems across the Americas, and a strong commitment to human rights, exercised in various roles—in public administration, consulting, research, and policy advising.
I hold degrees in Law, Social Sciences, and Public Policy. I served at the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, where I led initiatives to promote prison education, ensure the voting rights of pretrial detainees, and improve conditions for incarcerated women. I also worked as a consultant supporting institutions such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNESCO, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), and the IACHR itself, in projects related to institutional reform, justice system strengthening, and rights promotion.
Currently, I am a Professor of International Studies at the University of Oklahoma in the United States and an affiliated researcher at the Center on the Legal Profession at Harvard Law School. I am also a career public servant at the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA), where I have conducted studies and provided policy advice on issues such as prison policy, citizen security, access to justice, and democratic governance.
This trajectory has equipped me to understand the challenges of protecting human rights in our region in an integrated and nationally sensitive way. More than that, it provides the foundation for meaningful dialogue with the many actors who shape the Inter-American ecosystem: states, civil society organizations, affected communities, and multilateral institutions.
My platform for the Commission is built around three strategic objectives. The first is to protect the Inter-American System’s normative legacy and body of precedents—a historic achievement for the Americas that must be safeguarded against setbacks. The second is to enhance the Commission’s legitimacy across the region through continuous engagement with states, civil society, and with those who experience and endure rights violations. Finally, I aim to contribute to a more efficient and transparent IACHR—one that is capable of offering timely, well-reasoned, and accessible responses to the challenges brought before it.
The coming years will demand a Commission that is technically strong but also open to listening, willing to engage in dialogue, and equipped with institutional sensitivity. This does not mean compromising on principles. It means strengthening the commitment to human dignity through reasoned argument, careful listening, and bridge-building. The Commission must stand firm in its principles while being responsible in its actions so that it continues to serve as a legitimate reference for the peoples of the Americas.
Brazil’s support for this candidacy expresses our renewed commitment to multilateralism, international law, and the strengthening of democratic institutions. After a period of disengagement and tension with the Inter-American System, the country is returning to its historic path of valuing regional and global spaces dedicated to cooperation, development, and justice.
More than a diplomatic gesture, this candidacy affirms the core values that shape our foreign policy and our role in global governance: that human rights are central to any democratic project of society; that their guarantee must be collective, grounded in firm compacts between states and peoples; and that progress is possible, even in difficult times, when there is a willingness to build consensus and renew commitments.
If elected with the confidence of OAS Member States, I will serve with independence, transparency, and dedication. I will place my training and experience at the service of the Commission and its historic mission to protect rights, uphold democracy, and promote human dignity across the region.
*Fabio de Sá e Silva is a professor and researcher, and Brazil's candidate for the IACHR for the 2026–2029 term.
This article was written for issue 165 of the WBO newsletter, dated May 9, 2025. To subscribe and receive free weekly news and analysis like this, simply enter your email in the field provided.
