The OAS and International Law

This essay describes and analyzes the important contribution by the American States to public and private international law, both before formalization of the inter-American system in 1948, and within the framework of the OAS. The essay is divided into four sections. In the first, the author describes the background of the inter-American system; in particular, he highlights the desire of the 19th century American republics that have recently gained independence, to achieve regional and subregional agreements related to political union, collective security, peaceful settling of controversies, extradition, diplomatic asylum and private international law. The second section analyzes the American States contribution to public and private international law, reflected in the production of many, diversified laws that are consolidated based on the definitive structuring of the inter-American system. The third examines the work of the Inter-American Juridical Committee; the fourth and last section studies how the OAS can today reinforce its function of development and codification of American International law, especially through greater international cooperation in this area.