International forums for permanent participation
International forums for permanent participation
Venice Commission
- Year of Chile’s accession: 2005
- Resolution: (2002) 3 adopting the revised Statute of the Venice Commission
Background
Its official name is the European Commission for Democracy through Law, although it is commonly known as the “Venice Commission”. It is an advisory body that provides legal advice to its members and, in particular, assists states seeking to structure their institutions in accordance with European standards and international experience in matters such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law. As stated in Article 1 of its Statute, it has three principal objectives: to strengthen understanding between the legal systems of member states; to promote the rule of law; and to examine issues arising in the work of democratic institutions.
The Venice Commission (VC) was established on 10 May 1990, when 18 members of the Council of Europe signed the Statute of the Venice Commission. Since then, it has adopted 1,193 country-specific opinions and general reports. In addition, it has organised 121 international conferences and implemented 19 cooperation programmes in Latin America, Central Asia and the Southern Mediterranean.
It currently comprises the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and 15 other countries (Algeria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Costa Rica, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia and the United States). In addition, there are four observer states (Argentina, Japan, Uruguay and the Vatican) and five further members (the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organization of American States, Palestine, South Africa and the European Union).
In terms of its structure, it has a Bureau (composed of a President, three Vice-Presidents and four additional members of the Commission), 15 thematic sub-commissions (each with a chair), and three specialised councils (the Scientific Council, the Council for Democratic Elections and the Joint Council on Constitutional Justice). In this regard, the Joint Council on Constitutional Justice is particularly relevant for the Constitutional Court, as a representative (liaison officer) from each constitutional court or tribunal of the member or observer states of the Venice Commission participates in it.
Finally, the work of the Venice Commission focuses on three main areas: constitutional and ordinary justice; democratic institutions and fundamental rights; and elections, referendums and political parties.
Beginnings
The Venice Commission (VC) was established on 10 May 1990, when 18 members of the Council of Europe signed the Statute of the Venice Commission. Since then, it has adopted 1,193 country-specific opinions and general reports. In addition, it has organised 121 international conferences and implemented 19 cooperation programmes in Latin America, Central Asia and the Southern Mediterranean.
Operations
In terms of its structure, it has a Bureau (composed of a President, three Vice-Presidents and four additional members of the Commission), 15 thematic sub-commissions (each with a chair), and three specialised councils (the Scientific Council, the Council for Democratic Elections and the Joint Council on Constitutional Justice). In this regard, the Joint Council on Constitutional Justice is particularly relevant for the Constitutional Court, as a representative (liaison officer) from each constitutional court or tribunal of the member or observer states of the Venice Commission participates in it.
Finally, the work of the Venice Commission focuses on three main areas: constitutional and ordinary justice; democratic institutions and fundamental rights; and elections, referendums and political parties.
At present
It currently comprises the 46 member states of the Council of Europe and 15 other countries (Algeria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, South Korea, Costa Rica, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia and the United States). In addition, there are four observer states (Argentina, Japan, Uruguay and the Vatican) and five further members (the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organization of American States, Palestine, South Africa and the European Union).
Ministra Silva representó a Chile en la 146 Sesión Plenaria de la Comisión de Venecia
Ministra María Pía Silva fue elegida Vicepresidenta de la Subcomisión de Latinoamérica de la Comisión de Venecia
Comisión de Venecia conmemoró su trigésimo quinto aniversario
Ministra María Pía Silva participa en la 144ª Sesión Plenaria de la Comisión De Venecia
Comisión de Venecia realizó visita protocolar al Tribunal Constitucional
Ministra María Pía Silva participó en la 142ª Sesión Plenaria de la Comisión de Venecia
Ministra Nancy Yáñez representó al Estado de Chile en la Comisión de Venecia En La 141° Sesión Plenaria
Ministra María Pía Silva es la nueva representante del Estado de Chile en la Comisión de Venecia y participó en 140° Sesión Plenaria
Ministro José Ignacio Vásquez Márquez representó a Chile en la 139° Sesión Plenaria de la Comisión de Venecia
Ministro José Ignacio Vásquez Márquez representó a Chile en la 138° sesión plenaria de la Comisión de Venecia
World Conference on Constitutional Justice (WCCJ)
- Year of Chile’s accession: Unknown
- Revised Statute (2017)
- Archive of all congresses
- Members
Background
It is a branch of the Venice Commission, which, beginning in 2009, decided to organise these conferences in order to strengthen and bring together the members of the Commission.
Beginnings
The first conference took place in 2009 (Cape Town), followed by others in 2011 (Rio de Janeiro), 2014 (Seoul), 2017 (Vilnius), 2022 (Bali) and 2025 (Madrid).
Operations
The main objective of the WCCJ is to promote and facilitate judicial dialogue among constitutional judges around the world. For this reason, it regularly organises world congresses and participates in other initiatives, such as seminars and conferences. The basis of this initiative is the exchange of information and perspectives on constitutional justice during world congresses, which have served to generate debate on issues related to constitutionality in different countries.
With regard to its structure, it has three bodies: the General Assembly, the Bureau and the Secretariat.
At present
The WCCJ currently brings together 124 constitutional courts, constitutional councils and supreme courts from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania, which meet to promote constitutional justice as a key element for democracy, the protection of human rights and the rule of law.
Los Tribunales Constitucionales en Madrid acordaron el deber de garantizar la dignidad de las generaciones futuras.
Tribunal Constitucional participa en la VI Conferencia Mundial de Justicia Constitucional en España
Ibero-American Conference on Constitutional Justice (CIJC)
- Year of Chile’s accession: 1995
- Statutes
- Archive of Final Declarations
- News related
Background
It is an association composed of constitutional courts, constitutional chambers and supreme courts of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries of the Americas and Europe that exercise constitutional jurisdiction independently and act as courts of final instance in their respective jurisdictions. Its activities are based on dialogue, collaboration and cooperation in order to strengthen and enhance Ibero-American constitutional systems and respond, within the sphere of constitutional justice, to the demands of citizens.
Beginnings
Its origins can be traced to earlier meetings and conferences, the Lisbon Conference (1995), the Madrid Conference (1998) and the Guatemala Conference (1999), although its institutionalisation took place in 2005 with the Seville Conference. One year later, on 28 October 2006, during the Santiago de Chile Conference, the Statutes were adopted. These Statutes were subsequently reviewed and amended at the Punta Cana Conference held on 17 May 2022.
Operations
Among its objectives, established in Article 2 of the Statutes, are the promotion of the protection of human rights; the preservation and strengthening of the independence and impartiality of Ibero-American constitutional courts, chambers and tribunals (and of their members); the promotion of the exchange of information and cooperation in order to consolidate the Ibero-American community of constitutional justice; support for the creation of networks for knowledge management and the exchange of experiences; and the promotion of policies aimed at facilitating access to constitutional justice, among others.
The CIJC has a General Assembly (its deliberative and decision-making body), a President, the General Secretariat, a Pro Tempore Secretariat and national liaison officers. Among the activities of the Ibero-American Conference on Constitutional Justice are the organisation of a legal meeting in parallel with each biennial meeting of the Assembly; the organisation of seminars and meetings aimed at debating ideas and experiences; and the preparation of reports and the provision of assistance on matters relating to constitutional justice that are of interest to CIJC members.
At present
It currently has 22 members, of which 19 belong to Latin America and the Caribbean (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela) and three to Europe (Andorra, Spain and Portugal).
Ministros/As Héctor Mery y Alejandra Precht representan a Chile en la XV Conferencia Iberoamericana de Justicia Constitucional en Quito
Ministro Nelson Pozo Silva representó a esta alta Magistratura en XIV Conferencia Iberoamericana de Justicia Constitucional (CIJC)
Meeting of Constitutional Courts, Tribunals and Chambers of Latin America and the Caribbean
- Year of Chile’s accession: Unknown
- History of meetings
Background
It is an initiative that brings together presidents and judges of constitutional courts, tribunals and chambers from across the region, as well as judges of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR). Judges of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany also participate. The meeting is organised by the Rule of Law Programme for Latin America of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and in each edition distinguished specialists are invited to participate as moderators in the various panels.
These meetings have generated a positive exchange of perspectives and experiences among constitutional judges and judges of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. They have also contributed to the consolidation of professional and institutional networks related to constitutionalism.
Beginnings
The origins of these conferences date back to 1993, when the first meeting was held in Guatemala City. Since then, annual events have been organised, except in 1998, 2013 and 2020.