Secretariat services for the Commission shall be furnished by the appropriate
specialized unit of the General Secretariat of the Organization. This unit shall be
provided with the resources required to accomplish the tasks assigned to it by
the Commission.
Section 2. Functions
Article 41
The main function of the Commission shall be to promote respect for and
defense of human rights. In the exercise of its mandate, it shall have the
following functions and powers:
a. to develop an awareness of
human rights among the
peoples of America;
b. to make recommendations to
the governments of the member
states, when it considers such
action advisable, for the
adoption of progressive
measures in favor of human
rights within the framework of
their domestic law and
constitutional provisions as well
as appropriate measures to
further the observance of those
rights;
c. to prepare such studies or
reports as it considers advisable
in the performance of its duties;
d. to request the governments
of the member states to supply
it with information on the
measures adopted by them in
matters of human rights;
e. to respond, through the
General Secretariat of the
Organization of American