The United States has put forward Rosa María Payá as a candidate for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The election will take place during the 2025 General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Antigua and Barbuda on June 27.
Rosa María Payá is recognized internationally as a democracy advocate, human rights leader, and expert in Latin American policy. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for Pan-American Democracy, where she works with policymakers to enhance regional security, human rights, and democratic stability.
As founder of Cuba Decide, Payá leads a significant pro-democracy movement aimed at uniting Cuban civil society and opposition groups to demand political change through a binding plebiscite. She is the daughter of Oswaldo Payá, a Sakharov Prize laureate who was assassinated by the Cuban regime. Rosa María has continued his legacy with determination. Her achievements include receiving the Morris Abram Human Rights Award in 2019 and the Common-Sense Society Courage Award in 2022.
The IACHR operates independently to promote and defend human rights across OAS member states. It issues reports on petitions and cases while providing recommendations to improve human rights conditions within these countries. Over its 65-year history, the IACHR has played an essential role in ensuring adherence to human rights commitments among OAS member states. The commission consists of seven commissioners who are elected based on their expertise rather than government representation.
Supporting human rights and fundamental freedoms remains central to U.S. foreign policy, as outlined in documents like the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man and the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The United States continues to support the IACHR's work and independence as part of its commitment to preserving human rights autonomy in the region.
