HUMAN RIGHTS AND CITIZENSHIP: PARTICIPATION IN THE INTER-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM

Abstract

Participation – constitutional principle – is a Brazilian citizen’s right to defend their interests. Human Rights recently went through a process of internationalization and, since that occurred, the jurisdiction over violations of human rights is no longer exclusive to the State in which the fact occurred, but to the whole international society. This movement redefines the very concept of citizenship byexpanding the range ofcitizen’s rights. Thus, victims of human rights violations have the possibility to seek repair for damages which were caused by a new way ofparticipation, which consists in formulating denounces to international organisms of humanrights protection. In this context, this research aims to developthe theme of human rights with an international focus, more specifically on the Inter-American Human Rights System as a new effective way for citizens to participate.