§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many regional treaties similar to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms are now in existence; and which regions do they cover.
§ Mr. SainsburyThere are two other major regional treaties. The American convention on human rights entered into force in 1978 and is interpreted and applied by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and (in the case of those States Parties which have recognised its jurisdiction) the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. States parties to the convention are from the Latin American and Caribbean regions. The African charter on human and peoples' rights came into force in 1986 and is interpreted and applied by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. It is open to members of the Organisation of African Unity.