The Inter-American Court of Human Rights and its role in the Protection of Human Rights (IMPACTUM in CONTEXT Podcast)

In this episode, Prof Clara Burbano Herrera has an inspiring conversation with Dr Jorge Errandonea about the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and its vital role in protecting human rights in the region. Dr Errandonea is a senior staff attorney at the Registry of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. They explore how the Court’s jurisprudence has expanded over time, incorporating economic, social, and cultural rights, particularly since 2016. Jorge highlights how advisory opinions and contentious cases have played an important role in strengthening human rights protections. A key focus of the discussion is the use of provisional measures, a legal tool that prevents irreparable harm, especially for persons deprived of liberty. The episode also explores the Court’s in loco visits, which allow judges and legal staff to assess firsthand whether states are complying with human rights obligations. Jorge explains how these visits provide a deeper understanding of detention conditions, offering insights that go beyond reports or photographs.