Expanding the Boundaries of International Human Rights Law. The Systemic Approach of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

40 Pages Posted: 25 Apr 2018

See all articles by Alejandro Fuentes

Alejandro Fuentes

Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Date Written: April 15, 2018

Abstract

The Inter- American Court of Human Rights has developed an interpretative approach in recent years that considers all international instruments that deliver protection to human beings as part of the same legal system, that is, the corpus juris of international human rights law. Consequently, different branches of international law, such as international humanitarian law, refugee law, consular relations and – of course – human rights law, have been interpreted and implemented as part of the same undivided and unique legal system that provides protection to individuals against arbitrariness and potential abuses attributable to States. This paper critically analyzes and deconstructs the interpretative methods used by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in its contentious and advisory jurisdictions. It focuses on how this Court has broadened or expanded the scope of protection afforded in international human rights instruments and norms by interpreting them in light of the principle pro homine, which places the human person at the centre of international law. In this sense, this paper endeavours to contribute to a better understanding of international human rights law by means of unveiling the interpretative steps taken by the Inter-American Court in its efforts towards the humanization of contemporary international law.

Keywords: Human Rights, Inter-American Court of Human Rights, judicial interpretation, corpus juris, principle pro homine, humanization of International Law

Suggested Citation

Fuentes, Alejandro, Expanding the Boundaries of International Human Rights Law. The Systemic Approach of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (April 15, 2018). European Society of International Law (ESIL) 2017 Annual Conference (Naples), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3163088 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3163088

Alejandro Fuentes (Contact Author)

Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law ( email )

Lilla Gråbrödersgatan 4
Lund, SC Skane SE-22100
Sweden

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