Gabriela Pacheco Arias ’08 LL.M. makes history as the first woman appointed Secretary of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights | News | The Law School

A woman with dark hair and brown eyes, wearing a white jacket, smiles pleasantly in front of the Organization of American States flag and a blurry bookshelf.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has appointed Costa Rican jurist Gabriela Pacheco Arias as its next Secretary—marking the first time in the institution’s history that a woman will serve in this prestigious leadership role.

The Inter-American Court elected Pacheco Arias as Secretary in recognition of her exceptional professional trajectory and long-standing institutional commitment, including 22 years of distinguished service within the Secretariat of the Court. She will begin her five-year term in April 2026, with the possibility of reelection by the Court. Her more than two decades of continuous, dedicated service give her unparalleled insight into the Court’s legal and administrative operations, positioning her for immediate and impactful leadership.

Pacheco Arias was appointed Deputy Secretary in June 2024, following previous roles as senior attorney, coordinator of international cooperation, and director of the Monitoring Compliance with Judgments Unit from its creation in 2015 until May 2024. These critical positions provided her with deep knowledge of both the Court’s substantive human rights work and the diplomatic partnerships essential to advancing its mission across the Americas.

Pacheco Arias earned her LL.M. in International Human Rights Law from Notre Dame Law School in 2008. She also holds a law degree from the University of Costa Rica and a diploma in “Human Rights and Women, Theory and Practice” from the Human Rights Center of the University of Chile School of Law.

This appointment continues a notable legacy of Notre Dame Law School alumni serving in senior roles within the Inter-American Court system. The current Secretary, Pablo Saavedra Alessandri ‘96 LL.M.—also a Notre Dame Law graduate—has served since 2004 and will conclude his term on March 31, 2026. Pacheco Arias builds on this tradition while setting a groundbreaking new precedent for women’s leadership within the Inter-American Court system.

For more than two decades, Gabriela Pacheco Arias has demonstrated the dedication, expertise, and leadership essential for this role. Her extensive experience and steadfast commitment to the Court’s mission promise a steady and thoughtful stewardship as the Court continues to shape the future of human rights protection across the region.