Right to Identity in the Americas:  The Role of Civil Society

March 7, 2008 – 9:30am - 1:30pm

American University Washington College of Law

4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW;  Room 603

Washington, DC 20016

The issue of national identification and civil registration has been garnering increased attention in the Americas.  There are a number of countries where citizens’ right to identity is being violated by the state, by omission or commission.  The right to be officially recognized as a citizen by the state, and to have that state ensure the registration of one’s civil status from birth to death, are minimum guarantees which allow citizens to participate in democracy and claim their international human rights.  International and regional organizations have seized on this reality and have taken steps to promote civil registration in Latin America and the Caribbean.  However, much more needs to be done to understand the human rights implications related to national identification and civil registration, especially in countries where these rights are being violated. 

The conference included:

9:30     Opening Remarks, Dean Claudio Grossman, American University Washington College of Law

10:00 – 11:30    Panel 1: Violations of the Right to Identity in the Americas

Panelists include: Roxanna Altholz from University of California - Berkeley, Sonia Pierre from MUDHA (Dominican Republic), Colette Lespinasse from GARR (Haiti) and Sofia Macher from IDL (Peru).

11:45 – 1:15       Panel 2: International Response to Violations of the Right to Identity

Panelists include representatives from: Organization of American States, the United Nations, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.