Substantive Law Applicable

Abstract

Fact-finding in the field of human rights is a quasi-judicial process. This implies that, though not governed by some of the rigid aspects of legal proceedings, a fact-finding body should be guided by the relevant substantive and procedural rules of law. substantive law to be applied by a fact-finding body depends, in the first place upon any particular constitutional or treaty-regime within which it was established or any indications in its constitutive instrument. chapter discusses the relevance and the applicability of what are generally known as the international human rights standards. Commission on Human Rights' Ad Hoc Working Group into the situation of human rights in Chile took the position that The standards applied by the Group to assess the situation of human rights in Chile were those contained in the instruments on human rights adopted by the United Nations and adhered to by Chile. Keywords: Ad Hoc Working Group; Chile; fact-finding body; human rights; human rights standards; substantive law; United Nations