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How to Use the Database

Use the search bars and drop down menus to select your search criteria. You may select information from multiple fields. For example, if you are interested in finding cases involving forced disappearance in Peru where the Inter-American Court found a violation of Article 4 (Right to Life) of the American Convention on Human Rights, type “Peru” into the “Countries” search box, select “Forced Disappearance” from the Topics drop-down menu, and also select “Article 4 Right to Life” from the American Convention of Human Rights menu, then click the “Search” button. Your search results will include all cases involving forced disappearance where the Inter-American Court determined that Peru violated Article 4.

If you would like to search for multiple topics or violations within a drop down menu, please hold down the <command> key and click on each term you would like to search for. For example, if you are interested in finding cases where the Court found that the State violated Articles 1 (Obligation to Prevent and Punish Torture) and 3 (Persons Who May Be Found Guilty of Torture) of the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture, you would hold down the command key and click Article 1 Obligation to Prevent and Punish Torture and Article 3 Persons Who May Be Found Guilty of Torture, and then click search.

Search results will yield a list of cases. Each case contains a brief description of the case itself, as well as the date of the Court's Judgment on the Merits, violations found by the Court, Judges who rendered the Judgement on the Merits, Judges who authored separate opinions (if any), whether the State raised preliminary objections or accepted international responsibility, and the topics covered in this case. As of April 27, 2015 IACHR project staff have authored summaries of the facts, procedural history, interpretation of judgment, and compliance monitoring for one hundred and twelve cases. Cases with summaries include an option to download the summary.

Questions? Please contact iachrproject@lls.edu.