International Advisory Board
An international advisory and oversight body supporting the work of the Observatory, contributing to the consolidation of independence, transparency and integrity, reviewing the institutional course, and providing advice and guidance to ensure that the Observatory’s work remains consistent with its Statute and human rights objectives.
Why Did the Observatory Establish an International Advisory Board?
The International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations believes that building an independent and credible human rights institution goes beyond monitoring and documenting violations. It requires an integrated institutional framework based on good governance, transparency, accountability, continuous review, objective evaluation and course correction whenever necessary.
Based on this principle, the Observatory established the International Advisory Board as its highest advisory body, strengthening institutional performance, safeguarding the independence of decision-making, and ensuring that all policies, initiatives and decisions remain fully consistent with the Observatory's Statute, mission and declared objectives.
The Board brings together distinguished figures from the human rights, legal, academic, media, diplomatic and social fields, selected for their professional competence, experience, integrity and good reputation, and for their meaningful contributions to human rights causes or to the values of justice and the rule of law. This enables the Observatory to benefit from their expertise and perspectives in developing institutional performance and strengthening its impact at the regional and international levels.
The Advisory Board performs an independent role based on providing opinions and advice, examining matters referred to it, reviewing initiatives and decisions with institutional impact, and submitting proposals and recommendations that enhance the Observatory’s effectiveness and preserve its independence and credibility, without replacing the Board of Directors or interfering with the executive powers entrusted to it under the Statute.
The Board also constitutes one of the Observatory’s principal internal institutional oversight mechanisms. It monitors the consistency of projects and decisions with the declared principles and objectives and may submit reasoned observations and objections whenever it identifies matters that may affect the Observatory’s mission, independence or institutional reputation, thereby promoting a culture of review, evaluation and continuous correction and reinforcing the principles of good governance and responsible administration.
The establishment of the International Advisory Board reflects the Observatory’s commitment to building a modern human rights institution founded on independence, integrity, transparency, pluralism, respect for the rule of law and institutional responsibility. It recognizes that credibility is strengthened through independent review, accountability and expert guidance, preserving the confidence of victims, human rights defenders, partners and international institutions.
Nature and Role of the Board
Board Structure and Appointment Mechanism
Chair and Deputy Chair
The Chair and Deputy Chair of the International Advisory Board are appointed by the Board of Directors for a maximum term of three (3) years and may be renewed or replaced by a reasoned decision.
Assistants and Internal Organization
The Chair and Deputy Chair appoint assistants and determine the Board’s internal working procedures in accordance with its mandate.
Nomination and Approval
The Chair and Deputy Chair propose qualified members for the Advisory Board. The proposed list is submitted to the Board of Directors for formal approval, which may also appoint additional members.
Who May Serve on the Board?
- Members of the Advisory Board may include human rights, social, media, political, diplomatic or other prominent public figures.
- Membership in the Advisory Board does not require formal membership in the Observatory.
- Members must enjoy a good reputation, integrity and professional competence, or have made significant contributions to the advancement of human rights.
Powers of the International Advisory Board
The International Advisory Board performs its mandate within the framework of the Observatory’s Statute, strengthening institutional governance and ensuring that the Observatory’s activities remain aligned with its mission and objectives.
Review of Institutional Decisions and Projects
The Board may review institutional projects, policies and decisions adopted by the Board of Directors, submit reasoned observations whenever they are inconsistent with the Statute or mission, and recommend corrective measures.
Providing Opinions and Advice
The Board examines requests and files referred to it by the Board of Directors, studies their legal, human rights or institutional aspects, and provides its advisory opinion and recommendations within a period not exceeding fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt, before returning the file to the relevant party.
Proposing Candidates for Awards and Recognition
The Board may propose human rights, humanitarian, community, media or other distinguished figures whom it considers deserving of the Observatory’s awards or certificates of appreciation and recognition, based on their contributions to human rights or support for the Observatory’s objectives.
Review of Special Membership Applications
The Board reviews membership applications referred to it by the Board of Directors, particularly applications requiring legal, human rights or exceptional consideration, and submits its recommendations before returning the file to the Board of Directors for the appropriate decision.
Institutional Development Proposals
The Board may submit studies, proposals and recommendations aimed at developing the Observatory’s performance, strengthening its independence, improving the quality of institutional work and achieving its strategic objectives.
Safeguarding the Observatory’s Institutional Identity
The Board contributes to safeguarding the Observatory’s independence, credibility and institutional reputation by expressing its views on matters of strategic importance and drawing attention to any practices or directions that may affect the achievement of the Observatory’s objectives or conflict with its fundamental principles.
About the International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations
The International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations is an independent international Argentine center, legally registered in the Argentine Republic as a non-governmental, non-profit institution, working to defend human rights and document violations around the world.
The Observatory was established on 10 December 2015 and obtained official authorization from the Argentine government in 2021. It holds temporary consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is a founding member of the International Organization for Human Rights and International Law, and is registered in the database of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
The Observatory is headquartered in Argentina, and its members’ activities extend across 64 countries. Its team consists of individuals committed to protecting human rights in different parts of the world, especially in countries where human rights defenders face severe campaigns of direct targeting.
Independent Advice Helps Safeguard the Institutional Course
The International Advisory Board is one of the Observatory’s key mechanisms for strengthening transparency, independent institutional review and expert guidance, helping safeguard independent human rights decision-making and preserving consistency with the Observatory’s mission, objectives and principles.