Title: How to file a petition before the IACHR
Course: Inter-American Human Rights System - 2nd. Edition > Section: Petition and Case System

To begin, we invite you to watch this video to learn how to file a complaint.

- When a person or group of persons has been subjected to a rights violation, they can use the System to file a petition against the violating State.
- The petition and case system allows victims and their families to obtain justice.
- Used strategically, the mechanism has prevented violations from recurring through legislative changes, and the implementation of public policies, among other measures.

Which instruments are used to submit petitions before the IACHR?

The Commission can receive petitions for violations of the American Declaration against any OAS Member State, and for violations of the American Convention (ACHR) against any State Party.

The Commission may also receive claims for violations by States Parties to the following treaties:  the Protocol of San Salvador, the Protocol to Abolish the Death Penalty, the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture, the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women "Convention of Belém do Pará," the Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities.

Remember that not all States are parties to all treaties. Therefore, it is necessary to check which States are party to the treaty in question, in order to hold them accountable for a violation under that particular treaty. See which States are party to the above-mentioned treaties here .