PM 141/14 - Manuel Escalona Sánchez, Wilfredo Matos Gutiérrez, and Ortelio Abrahante Bacallao, the Bahamas

On June 30, 2014, the IACHR requested the adoption of precautionary measures for Manuel Escalona Sánchez, Wilfredo Matos Gutiérrez, and Ortelio Abrahante in the Bahamas. The request for precautionary measures alleges that the individuals mentioned were in a situation of risk because their deportation to Cuba was imminent. The petitioners claimed they had been targets of persecution in Cuba due to their open opposition to the Cuban regime, among other allegations. The Commission requested information from the State on April 22, 2014, but received no response. Therefore, after analyzing the allegations of fact and law, the Commission believes that the information shows prima facie that Manuel Escalona Sánchez, Wilfredo Matos Gutiérrez, and Ortelio Abrahante Bacallo are in a serious and urgent situation and that irreparable harm must be prevented as their lives and physical integrity are said to be in danger. Therefore, pursuant to Article 25 of the IACHR’s rules of procedure, the Commission is asking the Government of the Bahamas: to refrain from deporting Manuel Escalona Sánchez, Wilfredo Matos Gutiérrez, and Ortelio Abrahante Bacallao; to provide the beneficiaries with a legal remedy, respecting the principle of non-return, to determine whether they have the right to asylum; and to provide information regarding the outcomes thereof such that the IACHR may keep track of the need to maintain or lift the precautionary measure. Read the resolution here.

PM 50/14 - Campesino Leaders of Bajo Aguán, Honduras

On May 8, 2014, the IACHR asked that precautionary measures be adopted for those identified as members of several campesino organizations in Honduras: “Movimiento Campesino Recuperación del Aguán” (MOCRA), “Movimiento Campesino Fundación Gregorio Chávez” (MCRGC), Movimiento Unificado Campesino del Aguán” (MUCA), and “Movimiento Auténtico Reivindicador Campesino del Aguán (MARCA). The request for precautionary measures alleges that since 2010 peasant farmers who belong to these organizations have been subject to killings, disappearances, kidnappings, torture, threats, violent evictions, persecution, and accusations, for the alleged purpose of forcing them to sell their lands. On March 6, 2014, the IACHR requested information from the State. As of the date the resolution granting this precautionary measure was adopted, the State had not responded to the request for information. Pursuant to Article 25 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure, the Commission asked the State of Honduras to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of the identified members of the MOCRA, MCRGC, MUCA, and MARCA organizations; reach agreement with the beneficiaries and their representatives on the measures to be adopted; and inform the Commission as to the steps taken to investigate the incidents that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure so that such incidents do not happen again. Read the resolution here in Spanish.

PM 408/13 - Members of the Movimiento “Reconocido”, Dominican Republic

On January 30, 2014, the IACHR requested that precautionary measures be adopted for the members of the Movimiento “Reconocido” [“Recognized” Movement], in the Dominican Republic. The request for precautionary measures alleges that members of the Movimiento “Reconocido” received threats to their lives and physical integrity as a result of the criticism and protest these human rights defenders had exercised against Judgment 168/13, a decision by the Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic denationalizing thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent. After analyzing the allegations of fact and law presented, the Commission believes that the information shows in principle that the members of the Movimiento “Reconocido” are facing a serious and urgent situation, as their lives and physical integrity are said to be at grave risk due to the death threats they are said to have received. Therefore, pursuant to Article 25 of the IACHR Rules of Procedure, the Commission asks the Dominican Republic to adopt the necessary measures to protect the lives and physical integrity of the members of the Movimiento “Reconocido”; to guarantee that the members of this movement can carry out their activities as human rights defenders without being subject to acts of violence and harassment in the exercise of their functions; and to come to an agreement with the beneficiaries and their families on the measures to be adopted. The Commission also asked the State to keep it informed as to the steps taken to investigate the incidents that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure so that such incidents do not happen again. Read resolution here in Spanish.

PM 259/13 - Detainees in the US Military Base in Guantanamo
EXTENSION

On July 23, 2013, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights extended, on its own initiative, the scope of the precautionary measures in favor of the detainees held by the United States at the Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, in order to require the closure of that detention facility. The extension was based on the failure of the United States to comply with the precautionary measures already in force in favor of the detainees since 2002, the persistence of situations of prolonged and indefinite detention, and allegations of widespread abuse and mistreatment, including unnecessary and humiliating searches, the force feeding of detainees who have chose to participate in a hunger strike, and the increasing segregation and isolation of detainees. In addition, the information received by the Commission indicates the response of the authorities to the hunger strike has included forced feeding, unnecessary and humiliating searches, and the increased isolation of the detainees. Given these reports, the Commission requested specific information from the US Government on April 19, 2013, and reiterated that request on June 11, 2013. The Commission notes the Government’s submission of July 11, 2013, but observes that it fails to provide detailed information in response to the specific questions posed. The Commission calls the Government’s attention to the international standards that require respect for personal autonomy and dignity. Taking into account the human rights obligations of the United States as a Member State of the OAS, and given the ongoing risk of irreparable harm to the rights of detainees that is aggravated with the passage of time, the Inter-American Commission has decided to extend the scope of these precautionary measures and require the Government of the United States to proceed to immediately close the detention facilities at the Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay; to transfer the detainees to home or third countries in observance of human rights guarantees, principally the obligation of non-refoulement; to release those who have already been cleared for transfer should be expedited; and to house in appropriate conditions and accord applicable due process rights to any detainees subject to trial.

PM 84/13 – Bernardo Aban Tercero, United States

On April 4, 2013, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for Bernardo Aban Tercero, who was sentenced to death in the United States. The request for precautionary measures is accompanied by a petition on the alleged violation of rights enshrined in the American Declaration; this petition was registered under number P-1752-09. The Commission asked the United States to refrain from carrying out the death penalty until the Commission has the opportunity to rule on the petitioner’s claim regarding the alleged violation of the American Declaration, so as to not render ineffective the processing of that claim in the inter-American system.

PM 52/13 – 567 Families Living in Grace Village, Haiti

On March 26, 2013, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for the residents of the Grace Village camp for displaced persons, in Carrefour, Haiti. The request for precautionary measures indicates that there is a risk to the life and integrity of the displaced individuals who currently live in Grace Village, a camp built to temporarily house people who were displaced by the 2010 earthquake. The petitioners contend that some 567 families live there, under inhumane and unhealthy conditions, with very limited access to food, potable water, and health-care services. They also point to an alleged context of extrajudicial forced evictions, carried out without following legal procedures, allegedly with the use of violence, and purportedly without providing living alternatives or relocation. In addition, the petition claims that women and children are especially vulnerable, particularly due to the intimidation and sexual harassment on the part of camp managers, and that people are targets of reprisals when they take action to defend the rights of the camp residents. The IACHR asked the State of Haiti to adopt the necessary measures to prevent the use of force and violence in any eviction, and in particular to ensure that the actions of public authorities and private individuals do not present a risk to the life and physical integrity of the camp residents. The Commission also requested that the State implement effective security measures in the camp, including adequate patrols carried out around and inside the camp and police stations set up near the camp; to this effect, the Commission asked the State that these security measures be implemented with special regard for women and children. Further, the Commission asked the State to ensure that the residents have access to drinking water. The measures should be worked out with the beneficiaries and their representatives, and the Commission requested that the camp’s residents committee and grassroots women’s groups be ensured full participation in the planning and execution of all measures implemented for the residents, including those designed to prevent sexual violence and other types of violence in the camp. Finally, the Commission asked the State to keep it informed as to the steps taken to investigate the incidents that led to the adoption of precautionary measures.

PM 347/09 – Members of the El Nogalito (Lule) community of Tucumán Province, Argentina

On December 27, 2012, the IACHR granted precautionary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of the Lule indigenous people residing in the El Nogalito community of Tucumán Province, Argentina. According to the information furnished by the petitioners, on November 11, 2012, several individuals interested in land historically occupied by the Lule indigenous people of the El Nogalito community in Tucumán Province committed a series of violent acts. According to the specific information received, a number of individuals had perpetrated acts of plunder which included “the plowing over of community lands and removal of posts and fencing” and also physically attacked community members who tried to prevent these acts. According to the petitioners, as a result of these acts of aggression three community members had sustained injuries: a community political boss (cacique), Joaquín Pérez, had been struck in the head and lost consciousness; Margarita Mamaní received injuries to her arms; and 17-year-old Ángel José Pérez received injuries to his back and arms. The petitioners also indicated that these individuals continued to threaten members of the indigenous community with forceful removal from their lands. Consequently, the Commission requested that the Government of Argentina: (1) adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of the members of the Lule indigenous people residing in El Nogalito, Tucumán Province; (2) reach agreement on measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives; and (3) report the results of adopted actions to facilitate investigation of the events that gave rise to the adoption of precautionary measures.

PM 152/11 – Members of the House for Migrants “Frontera Digna”, Municipality of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, México

On August 17, 2012, the IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of the members of the House for Migrants “Frontera Digna”, Municipality of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, México. Initially, the IACHR requested information to the State and took note of the implementation of protection measures in favor of the members of the organization on the part of the competent authorities. Notwithstanding, the IACHR has continued to receive information that indicates that the threats and harassment against them have continued. The IACHR requested the State of México to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of the members of the House for Migrants “Frontera Digna”, to adopt the measures in consultation with the beneficiaries and their representatives, and to inform on the actions taken to investigate the facts that led to the adoption of precautionary measures.

PM 60/12 – Members of the Triqui Indigenous Community in the San Pedro River Valley, San Juan Cópala, Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, Mexico

On May 29, 2012, the IACHR granted precautionary measures in favor of 76 members of the Triqui Indigenous Community in the San Pedro River Valley, San Juan Cópala, Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, Mexico. The request for precautionary measures alleges that the 76 members of this community, who currently live in the San Pedro River Valley, are in a risk situation. They informed that they had been displaced from San Juan Copala by armed actors operating in the area, and that currently they are victims of threats, acts of violence and harassment, aiming to displace them again. In this context, on May 8, 2012, a pick-up truck allegedly entered with violence in the community, firing against the houses, resulting in the death of three persons. The IACHR requested the State of Mexico to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of the 76 members of the Triqui Indigenous Community in the San Pedro River Valley, San Juan Cópala, Putla de Guerrero, Oaxaca, Mexico, to adopt the measures in consultation with the beneficiaries and their representatives, and to inform on the actions taken to investigate the facts that led to the adoption of precautionary measures.

PM 463/11 – Nelson Iván Serrano Sáenz, United States

On December 15, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for Mr. Nelson Iván Serrano Sáenz, an Ecuadoran national facing the death penalty in Florida. The request for precautionary measures was accompanied by a petition alleging violation of rights recognized in the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. That petition was classified as P-1643/11. The Commission requested that the United States refrain from executing the death sentence until the Commission has had an opportunity to reach its decision on the petitioner’s claim of violation of the American Declaration, so as not to render moot the filing of that claim with the inter-American system.

PM 465/11 - Virgilio Maldonado Rodríguez, United States

On December 21, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for Virgilio Maldonado Rodríguez, a Mexican national sentenced to death in the state of Texas. The request seeking precautionary measures was filed together with a petition alleging violation of rights protected under the American Declaration. Classified as P-1762/11, the petition specifically alleges that the United States did not take into account Mr. Maldonado’s mental disability; it argued that under the American Declaration, the death penalty constituted cruel punishment. Mr. Maldonado was one of the Mexican citizens included in the judgment delivered by the International Court of Justice in 2004 in the Case concerning Avena and other Mexican nationals (Mexico v. United States), in which the ICJ ordered the United States to review and reconsider the guilty verdicts and sentences given to the Mexican citizens named in the judgment. The Commission asked the United States to refrain from executing the death sentence until the Commission has had an opportunity to reach a decision on the petitioner’s claim of an alleged violation of the American Declaration, so as not to render moot the processing of that petition with the inter-American system.

PM 471/11 - Jurijus Kadamovas and others, United States

On December 27, 2011 the Commission requested the immediate adoption of precautionary measures pursuant to Article 25(1) of its Rules of Procedure in order to avoid irreparable harm of Jurijus Kadamovas, German Sinnistera, Arboleda Ortiz, Robert L. Bolden, Iouri Mikhel, and Alejandro Umana who were sentenced to death penalty. The petitioner alleges, inter alia, Vienna Convention claims, discrimination based on nationality, inhumane prison conditions, and lack of medical attention. With regard to the latter, the petitioner alleges that Jurijus Kadamovas has not received psychiatric or psychological support in spite of his requests; and that Robert L. Bolden is not receiving treatment for his type 1diabetes. The Commission requested the United States take the measures necessary to preserve the life and physical integrity of Jurijus Kadamovas and others so as not to hinder the processing of the case before the inter-American system classified as number P1285-11.

PM 18/09 – Paul Pierre, United States

On December 22, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for Mr. Paul Pierre, of Haitian origin, who might be deported back to Haiti at any time now. According to the parties seeking the precautionary measures, Mr. Pierre is suffering from “esophageal dysplasia” and is on a liquid diet ingested through a tube. The Commission therefore asked the United States not to deport Mr. Paul Pierre back to Haiti until the Commission issues its decision on petition P-1431/08, which is currently being processed with the Commission.

PM 291/11 – José Antonio Cantoral Benavides and others, Bolivia

On August 8, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures on behalf of José Antonio Cantoral Benavides, a Peruvian national, who have refugee status in Bolivia. The Commission also received a petition referring to José Antonio Cantoral Benavides and others. The application for injunction alleged that Cantoral Benavides had been deprived of their liberty for August 1, 2011 and that during his detention would have been severely beaten. It also states that the August 3, 2011, the National Refugee Commission had issued a resolution which determines his immediate expulsion from the country, allegedly without having heard Cantoral Benavides and without complying with legal requirements. The Commission requested the State to adopt the necessary measures to refrain from expelling José Antonio Cantoral Benavides from Bolivia until the Commission rules on the merits of the petition, adopt the necessary measures to protect his life and personal integrity, and coordinate the measures to be adopted with the beneficiary and his representatives and report regularly to the Commission on actions taken. According to information received later, Mr. José Antonio Cantoral Benavides remains in Bolivia, under house arrest.

PM 368/10 – María Tirsa Paz and others, Colombia

On July 29, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures on behalf of María Tirsa Paz and others, in Colombia. The request for precautionary measures alleges the existence of a situation of risk affecting 27 Afro-Colombian women and their families displaced from the municipalities of El Charco, Barbacoas, and La Tola in the department of Nariño. According to additional information provided by the applicants, the risks remain in place in the communities to which they relocated. In particular, they reported that in June 2011, in the neighborhood where four of the beneficiaries live, four youths were killed and another six were wounded in clashes between illegal groups. The Commission asked the State to take the steps necessary to ensure the lives and persons of the 27 displaced Afro-Colombian women and their families, to agree on the measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives through talks, with due account taken of their particular situation, and to report back on the actions carried out to investigate the facts that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure.

PM 171/11 − Edwin A. Márquez González, United States

On July 5, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for Edwin A. Marquez Gonzalez, in the United States. The request for precautionary measure alleges that Edwin Marquez Gonzalez, a citizen of El Salvador facing a final deportation order, is in end-stage renal disease and receives hemodialysis treatment three times a week. It indicates that if Edwin Marquez Gonzalez were to be deported, his life would be at risk, since the availability of hemodialysis treatment is limited in El Salvador. The Inter-American Commission asked the United States to urgently adopt any necessary measures to ensure that Edwin Marquez Gonzalez is not deported until assurance is received that in El Salvador he will receive the medical treatment necessary to protect his right to life and physical integrity.

PM 359/10 – Members of Justice and Dignity Corporation, Colombia

On June 28, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures on behalf of members of Justice and Dignity Corporation, in Colombia. The request for precautionary measures claims that over recent months, there has been a worsening in the threats, harassment, and tailing to which they have been subjected, on account of which they were forced to relocate from Santiago de Cali. It also notes that the authorities have been informed of the situation but have provided no security measures to counter the risk. The Commission asked the State to take the steps necessary to ensure the lives and persons of Alexander Montaña, Sofía López, Walter Mondragón Delgado, and Homero Montaña, to agree on the measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives, and to report back on the actions carried out to investigate the facts that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure.

PM 121/11 − 14 Q'echi Indigenous Communities of the Municipality of Panzós, Guatemala

On June 20, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for 14 Q'echi indigenous communities of the municipality of Panzós, in Guatemala. The request for precautionary measure alleges that 14 Q'echi indigenous communities were forcibly evicted in the municipality of Panzós, in Guatemala's department of Alta Verapaz, between March 15 and 23 of 2011. It alleges that the court eviction order had not been communicated to the affected communities and was not carried out in compliance with the law. The information the Commission has received indicates that, more than two months following the eviction, between 700 and 800 families from the community are living in precarious conditions, without access to food and water, and that State agencies have failed to provide them with shelter or nutrition solutions. It is also indicated that acts of violence were perpetrated against the communities on May 13 and 21 and June 4, which reportedly led to the deaths of two individuals. The Inter-American Commission requested that the State of Guatemala adopt any necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of the members of the 14 Q'echi indigenous communities; adopt any necessary measures to provide humanitarian assistance, including food and shelter, to the members of the 14 displaced communities; and come to an agreement with the beneficiaries and their representatives on the measures to be adopted.

PM 355/10 − 21 Families of the Nonam Community of the Wounaan Indigenous People, Colombia

El 3 de junio de 2011, la CIDH otorgó medidas cautelares a favor de 21 familias de la comunidad Nonan, del pueblo indígena Wounaan, en Colombia. En la solicitud de medida cautelar se alega que las familias han sido objeto de hostigamientos por parte de las fuerzas armadas y grupos armados ilegales. Se indica que debieron desplazarse de su territorio y que como consecuencia han tenido graves problemas en el acceso a alimentación, vivienda y medicinas. Agrega asimismo que las familias no habrían recibido atención médica y humanitaria de forma consistente y efectiva durante los nueve meses transcurridos desde su desplazamiento, a pesar de que se dictó un fallo de tutela a su favor. Esta situación habría tenido como consecuencia la muerte de tuberculosis de una niña de 11 meses de edad, el 12 de mayo de 2011. La Comisión Interamericana solicitó al Estado de Colombia adoptar medidas necesarias, consensuadas con los beneficiarios, para garantizar la vida y la integridad física de las 21 familias de la comunidad Nonan del pueblo indígena Wounaan, para brindar asistencia humanitaria y atención médica a los beneficiarios en situación de desplazamiento, y para garantizar su retorno al Resguardo Indígena de Santa Rosa de Guayacán en condiciones de dignidad y seguridad.

PM 404/10 − Qom Navogoh Indigenous Community of "La Primavera", Argentina

On April 21, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for the members of the Qom Navogoh indigenous community of "La Primavera," in the province of Formosa, Argentina. The request for precautionary measures alleges that members of the security forces had perpetrated a series of acts of violence against members of the community and that as a result, leader Félix Díaz and his family were forced to move to another region. The petitioners reported that the attackers were continuing to guard the area, creating a climate of tension among area residents. They also added that security measures that would allow the return of Félix Díaz and his family had not been implemented. The Inter-American Commission asked the State of Argentina to adopt any necessary measures to guarantee the life and physical integrity of the members of the Qom Navogoh indigenous community of "La Primavera" against possible threats, attacks, or acts of harassment on the part of members of the police, law enforcement officers, or other State agents, as well as to implement any necessary measures so that Félix Díaz and his family can return to the community under safe conditions.

PM 269/08 − Members of the Lof Paichil Antriao Community of the Mapuche Indigenous People, Argentina

On April 6, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for the members of the Lof Paichil Antriao community of the Mapuche indigenous people. The request for precautionary measure alleges that there is a grave and urgent situation involving risk of irreparable harm stemming from acts of harassment; that there is a risk that a sacred place known as a Rewe will be destroyed; that access by members of the Lof Paichil Antriao community to the Rewe is being obstructed; and that families of the community have been displaced from territory they claim as their ancestral land. The request also alleges that while the Rewe is currently being protected by a domestic legal measure, the members of the community have not been able to gain access to the site to practice the rituals called for by their culture. It also indicates that the families that are displaced in areas adjacent to the disputed territory are facing a precarious situation with regard to health and food. The Inter-American Commission asked the State of Argentina to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee that the protective legal measure to prevent alteration of the Rewe located on the property that is the object of the litigation is not lifted until the IACHR has ruled on the merits of Petition 962-08, currently being examined. On this matter, the Commission also requested that the State adopt measures to ensure effective compliance with the aforementioned legal measure so that this sacred place is preserved. In addition, the IACHR asked the State to take the necessary steps to guarantee that members of the Lof Paichil Antriao community who need to access the Rewe to practice their rituals may do so, without police forces or other public or private security or surveillance groups hindering their access or their stay for whatever time they wish, and without episodes of violence, attacks, harassment, or threats on the part of the police of other security groups. Finally, the Commission requested that the State adopt the necessary measures to look after the health of the community families that are displaced in areas adjacent to the disputed territory, in order to guarantee their well-being.

PM 5/11 - Gary Resil, Harry Mocombe, Roland Joseph, Evel Camelien, and Pierre Louis, United States

On February 1, 2011, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for Gary Resil, Harry Mocombe, Roland Joseph, Evel Camelien, and Pierre Louis, in the United States. The request for precautionary measure alleges that the lives and health of these individuals could be at grave risk if they were to be deported to Haiti, given that once they arrived in the country they would probably remain in custody, without access to food, drinking water, and adequate medical treatment. It also indicates that these individuals have their immediate families in the United States and that most of their family members in Haiti had died in the January 2010 earthquake. The Inter-American Commission asked that the United States suspend the deportation process in the case of the five beneficiaries until such time as: (1) Haiti is able to guarantee that detention conditions and access to medical care for persons in custody comply with applicable minimum standards, and (2) the procedures in place to decide upon and review the deportation of the five beneficiaries adequately take into account their right to family life and their family ties in the United States.

PM 367/10 - Forced Evictions from Five Camps for Displaced Persons, Haiti

On November 15, 2010, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for the residents of five camps for internally displaced persons in Haiti. The request for precautionary measures alleges that forced evictions were carried out in five encampments created by families that set up tents in open fields, on public or private property, following the destruction of their homes by the earthquake. The Inter-American Commission asked the State of Haiti to adopt a moratorium on the expulsions from the camps for internally displaced persons until a new government can take office; to ensure that those who have been illegally expelled from the camps are transferred to places with minimum sanitary and security conditions; to guarantee that those who have been internally displaced have access to effective remedies in court and before other competent authorities; to implement effective security measures to safeguard the physical integrity of the camps' inhabitants, guaranteeing in particular the protection of women and children; to train security forces on the rights of displaced persons, in particular their right not to be expelled from the camps by force; and to ensure that international cooperation agencies have access to the camps for internally displaced persons. On November 18, 2010 the IACHR Expressed Concern over Situation in Camps for Displaced Persons in Haiti, especially with regard to forced evictions and sexual violence against women and girls.

PM 340/10 − Women and girls residing in 22 Camps for internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

On December 22, 2010, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for all the displaced women and children living in 22 camps for internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in the wake of the January 10, 2010 earthquake. The request for precautionary measures alleges a pattern of sexual violence and a series of acts of violence against the women and girls residing in said camps. The Inter-American Commission called on the State to ensure the availability of adequate medical and mental health care for the victims of sexual violence located in accessible areas; to provide adequate security at the camps for internally displaced persons, including the lighting of public spaces, regular patrols within the camps as well as outlying areas, and to increase the presence of female police officers assigned to patrol details and local police precincts; to ensure that the law enforcement agencies tasked with responding to incidents of sexual violence receive the necessary training to respond appropriately to reported cases of sexual violence and provide the necessary security to the camps; to promote the establishment of special investigative police units within the Office of the Attorney General with a view to investigating rape cases and other crimes of sexual violence; and to ensure that grassroots women’s groups fully participate in and have a steering role in the planning and implementation of policies and practices aimed at combating and preventing rape and other forms of sexual violence in the camps.

PM 97-10 − 179 Families of the Settlements of El Vergel and El Pedregal, Department of Cauca, Colombia

On August 13, 2010, the IACHR granted precautionary measures for 179 families living in the settlements of El Vergel and El Pedregal, in the department of Cauca, Colombia. The request for precautionary measures alleges that these families are in a situation of extreme danger as a result of the armed conflict and the lack of measures to protect civilians who live in the area. According to the information provided, the inhabitants of these settlements were victims of bullet wounds, forced displacements, and other alleged acts of violence. The Inter-American Commission asked the State of Colombia to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the life and personal integrity of the 179 beneficiary families; to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the return, in conditions of security, of the families displaced from El Vergel and El Pedregal; to reach agreement with the beneficiaries and their representatives on the measures to be adopted; and to inform the Commission on the steps taken to investigate the facts that led to the adoption of precautionary measures.