Dr Christopher Arif Bulkan was yesterday elected a Commissioner on the Inter-American Com-mission on Human Rights (IACHR) for a four-year period from 2024-2027.
A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Government of Guyana had nominated Dr Bulkan’s to the post on the basis of his extensive experience in human rights as an advocate, jurist, academic and policy adviser. He had previously served as an expert member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee during the period 2019-2022, where he authored and co-authored several individual opinions. He was elected to serve as Vice-Chair of that Committee for the 2021-2022 period.
The release said that Dr Bulkan’s work has been recognized as a model of independence, integrity and competence.
His election represents the first time that a Guyanese national will serve on the IACHR since its creation in 1959, the release said. He secured the highest number of votes – 27 out of 32.
The elections took place yesterday in Washington D.C. at the 53rd Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organi-zation of American States (OAS) where Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd is leading Guyana’s delegation.
The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the OAS and is mandated to promote and protect human rights in the Americas. The Commis-sion comprises seven experts who serve in their personal capacity.
The release said that the Government of Guyana is confident that Dr. Bulkan will make a signal contribution to the work of the IACHR.
