Joint EU/CoE Programme for Latin America 2024-2026
A joint programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe “Support for democratic reforms, human right mechanisms and the principles of the rule of law in Latin America, Central Asia and Mongolia” 2024-2026
Project overview
On 1st January 2024, the Venice Commission launched the 2024-2026 programme of joint support by the European Union and the Council of Europe for democratic reforms, human rights protection mechanisms and the principles of the rule of law, financed by the European Union and implemented by the Venice Commission, to support Latin American countries in strengthening democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights protection mechanisms. The initiative focuses on Mexico, Haiti, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru and Uruguay.
The project aims to improve constitutional and electoral systems, promote judicial independence and strengthen democratic institutions through legal advice, technical support and high-level consultations. The Venice Commission works closely with national authorities, electoral bodies, constitutional courts, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to provide expert advice in line with European and international legal standards.
Specific objectives of the project
- On the basis of the opinions and recommendations of the Venice Commission, the national authorities identify actions to improve their constitution and legislation;
- National authorities strengthen their capacity and knowledge of constitutional issues, electoral processes and practices, and human rights protection mechanisms, in accordance with relevant European and international standards.
Main achievements in 2024 in Latin America
- Visit to Mexico by the Venice Commission in connection with the presidential and general elections in Mexico
A delegation from the Venice Commission visited Mexico City as part of the 2024 federal election process in Mexico.
The Venice Commission delegation took part in the Electoral Justice Forum for Foreign Visitors organised by the Electoral Court of the Federal Judiciary (TEPJF) on 28 and 29 May 2024, and in the Programme for Foreign Visitors organised by the National Electoral Institute (INE) and the TEPJF from 30 May to 2 June 2024. The visit took place as part of the Commission's long-standing cooperation with the TEPJF and the INE.
- HAITI - Organization of American States - Constitutional and legislative solutions for the conduct of future electoral procedures
Following the request by Mr Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS), for an opinion from the Venice Commission on the constitutional and legislative solutions that could serve as a basis for the conduct of future electoral procedures in Haiti, a number of meetings were held with a view to adopting an interim opinion and a final opinion.
The Organization of American States (OAS) hosted a delegation from the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) in Washington D.C. from 13-15 May 2024. Meetings were held with the OAS and a range of stakeholders, including permanent representatives to the OAS, current and former Haitian officials, including former electoral officials, members of Haitian civil society, Haitian and non-Haitian experts, and the organisation's senior management.
On 21 and 22 June 2024, the Venice Commission adopted the draft interim opinion on possible legislative solutions for conducting future electoral processes in Haiti.
With a view to preparing the final opinion on "Possible constitutional and legislative solutions for the conduct of future electoral procedures in Haiti", the Venice Commission rapporteurs held online meetings with Haiti's Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and a delegation from the Organisation of American States (OAS) on 6 September 2024. An online meeting was also held with the UN expert on human rights in Haiti, Mr William O' Neill, on 24 September 2024.
Following the request for an opinion from Mr Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) on the constitutional and legislative solutions that could serve as a basis for the conduct of future electoral procedures in Haiti and the adoption of the interim opinion by the Commission, the OAS welcomed a delegation from the Venice Commission to its headquarters in Washington DC on 28-30 October 2024. The OAS Secretary General and the President of the OAS Permanent Council received the delegation. It worked on the essential issues for the preparation of a constitutional referendum in 2025 followed by parliamentary and presidential elections with a high-level delegation from the following Haitian authorities: the Presidential Transitional Council; the Steering Committee of the National Conference; the Provisional Electoral Council; the National Identification Office. She took part in the work of the OAS Working Group on Haiti.
Discussions focused in particular on the elements identified in the interim opinion, such as the right to vote and to stand for election, voter registration, financing, voting abroad, the appeals system, as well as on the means of organising elections in a violent context and on electronic voting.
On 6 and 7 December 2024, the Venice Commission adopted its final opinion on possible legislative solutions for conducting future electoral processes in Haiti.
- Regional cooperation: Election observers as defenders of human rights
Recognising the increasing risks faced by election observers, the Organisation of American States (OAS) asked the Venice Commission to assess the legal protection of election observers as human rights defenders. The report, adopted by the Venice Commission in December 2024, examines the legal frameworks, international standards and recent challenges faced by election observers and provides recommendations.
Business in 2025
- CHILE - Fact-finding visit to Chile for the forthcoming opinion on the draft constitutional amendments concerning the judiciary requested by Mr Jaime Gajardo Falcón, Chile's Minister of Justice and Human Rights
From 21 to 23 April 2025, a delegation from the Venice Commission made a fact-finding visit to Chile to prepare its opinion on the draft constitutional amendments concerning the judiciary.
In Santiago, the Venice Commission delegation met with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Tribunal, the Presidents of the Santiago and San Miguel Courts of Appeal, the Judicial Academy, representatives of civil society, professional associations and academia, as well as representatives of the international community. They met with representatives of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies in Valparaíso.
The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 143rd plenary session of the Venice Commission on 13 and 14 June 2025.
- HAITI
In a letter dated 6 May 2025, the President of Haiti's Provisional Electoral Council, Patrick Saint-Hilaire, requested an opinion on Haiti's draft referendum decree.
The draft opinion is scheduled for discussion and adoption at the 143rd plenary session of the Venice Commission (13-14 June 2025).
To find out more:
- Link to Venice Commission documents on Haiti
- Organization of American States - OAS - Organization of American States: Democracy for Peace, Security and Development
- TEPJF / INE Tribunal Electoral del Poder Judicial de la Federación
European Commission for
Democracy through Law
