This article examines the various forms that the right to equality takes in national and international provisions, distinguishing between those of an “ancillary” nature - which protect against discrimination only in relation to certain recognized rights - and those of “general application,” which cover all state acts. Based on this classification, it argues that both closed and open lists of prohibited criteria have limitations in guaranteeing comprehensive protection. In response to this, it raises the need for a general right to equality, the existence of which is implicit, for example, in Article 24 of the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR). Through an analysis of the German system, particularly Article 3 of its Basic Law, it is justified how this general right offers a broader and more effective framework for assessing equality and combating discrimination that falls outside traditional lists. It is argued that a consistent interpretation of the ACHR implies recognizing the general dimension of the right to equality, thus overcoming the limits of accessory prohibitions. This would strengthen legal protection against unjustified treatment, promoting a more robust human rights framework in national and international contexts.
Borowski, M. (2018). Grundrechte als Prinzipien [Derechos fundamentales como principios] (3ra. ed.). Nomos.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5771/9783845290881Borowski, M. (2024). Elementos esenciales de la dogmática de los derechos fundamentales. (Arnulfo Daniel Mateos Durán, Trad.; 2da ed.). Tirant lo Blanch.
Consejo de Europa. (1950). Convenio para la Protección de los Derechos Humanos y de las Libertades Fundamentales. https://www.coe.int/es/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=005
Consejo de Europa. (2000). Protocolo n.º 12 al Convenio para la Protección de los Derechos Humanos y de las Libertades Fundamentales. https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=177
Consejo Parlamentario (1949). Ley Fundamental de la República Federal de Alemania [Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland]. Bundesgesetzblatt. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gg/
Grabenwarter, C. & Pabel, K. (2021). Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention [Convención Europea de Derechos Humanos] (7ma. ed.). C.H. Beck.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17104/9783406759673Kälin, W. y Künzli, J. (2019). The Law of International Human Rights Protection [El derecho de la protección internacional de los derechos humanos] (2da. ed.). Oxford University Press.
Naciones Unidas. (1966). Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos. Resolución 2200A (XXI) de la Asamblea General. https://www.ohchr.org/es/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights
Organización de los Estados Americanos. (1969). Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos (Pacto de San José de Costa Rica). https://www.oas.org/es/cidh/mandato/Basicos/convencion.asp
Von Achenbach, J. (2023). Artikel 3 Abs. 3 GG [Artículo 3.3 de la Ley Fundamental]. En Dreier, H. & Brosius-Gersdorf, F. (eds.), Grundgesetz Kommentar [Comentarios a la Ley Fundamental](4ta. ed.). Mohr Siebeck.