International institutional design and human rights: The case of the Inter-American Human Rights System

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4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Most studies examining the effectiveness of international human rights law treat international human rights institutions as equally (un)influential on state behavior. I argue that institutional design explains variation in state response to international human rights law. Using the institutions in the Inter-American Human Rights System (Court and Commission), I argue that judgments from the highly legalized body (Court) are associated with human rights improvements, while decisions from the less legalized body (Commission) are associated with a greater likelihood of formal complaints. Using the Ill-Treatment and Torture data and original data on Commission decisions, I find support for these expectations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)608-625
Number of pages18
JournalConflict Management and Peace Science
Volume36
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2019

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2019.

Keywords

  • Human rights
  • international courts
  • international law

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Political Science and International Relations

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