Media Center

Background

IACHR TAKES CASES TO THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT

Washington, December 10, 2007 — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) submitted two cases to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in November, one against Mexico on November 4 and the other against Venezuela on November 9.

On November 4, 2007, the IACHR filed an application with the Inter-American Court against the United States of Mexico in cases 12.496, 12.497 and 12.498, Campo Algodonero: Claudia Ivette González, Esmeralda Herrera Monreal and Laura Berenice Ramos Monárrez. Mexico accepted the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court in 1998. This case is based on the denial of justice in the disappearance and murders of Claudia Ivette González, Esmeralda Herrera Monreal and Laura Berenice Ramos Monárrez (two of whom are minors), in Ciudad Juárez, state of Chihuahua; the lack of prevention policies in these cases, despite the state authorities’ awareness of a pattern of violence against women and girls in Chihuahua; the failure of authorities to respond to these disappearances; the lack of due diligence in the investigation of the homicides; and the lack of adequate reparations to their families.

On November 9, 2007, the IACHR filed an application with the Inter-American Court against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the case No. 12.565, María Cristina Reverón Trujillo. Venezuela accepted the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court in 1981. The case involves the arbitrary dismissal of Mrs. María Cristina Reverón Trujillo from her post as Provisional Criminal Judge of Caracas on February 6, 2002, by the Judiciary Operations and Restructuring Commission, and the lack of effective judicial recourse to provide adequate reparations.

Both cases were referred to the Inter-American Court—based in San José, Costa Rica—because the Commission believed the States did not comply with significant recommendations contained in the reports on the merits approved by the IACHR in accordance with Article 50 of the American Convention on Human Rights. In adopting its decision, the Commission took into account the considerations established in Article 44 of its Rules of Procedure.


Useful links:
Admissibility report, Case No. 12.565 (only available in Spanish):
http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2006sp/Venezuela406.05sp.htm
Admissibility report, Case No. 12.496:
http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2005eng/Mexico.281.02eng.htm
Admissibility report, Case No. 12.497:
http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2005eng/Mexico282.02eng.htm
Admissibility report, Case No. 12.498:
http://www.cidh.org/annualrep/2005eng/Mexico.283.02eng.htm


Press Officer: María Isabel Rivero
Tel. (202) 458-3867
Cel (202) 215 4142
E-mail: [email protected]
Commission’s Website: www.iachr.org

Reference: CIDH59/07