Rafael E. Martinez was the 2003 U.S. candidate to serve on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the human rights arm of the Organization of American States. Since his candidacy was unsuccessful, as of January 2004 there will be no U.S. national on the seven-member Commission for the first time since its inception in 1959.

Born in Cuba, Martinez made a career out of medical malpractice and health law.

He is the brother of Melquiades Rafael Martinez.