The Exercise of the Right of Access to International Justice: The Right of International Individual Petition

The right of individual petition at international level has a long history, which has nowadays consolidated it as a legal right. It has had distinct formulations in several human rights treaties and international instruments, at both universal (United Nations) and regional levels. By means of its exercise, individuals have achieved direct access before international human rights tribunals. This is illustrated by recent developments in the European, the inter-American and the African human rights systems. A remarkable evolution, concerning the legitimatio ad causam, has been taking place,...

The right of individual petition at international level has a long history, which has nowadays consolidated it as a legal right. It has had distinct formulations in several human rights treaties and international instruments, at both universal (United Nations) and regional levels. By means of its exercise, individuals have achieved direct access before international human rights tribunals. This is illustrated by recent developments in the European, the inter-American and the African human rights systems. A remarkable evolution, concerning the legitimatio ad causam, has been taking place, moving from locus standi in judicio to jus standi of individuals in international legal proceedings.