CASE of UZCÁTEGUI ET AL. V. VENEZUELA
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INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS CASE OF UZCÁTEGUI ET AL. v. VENEZUELA JUDGMENT OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2012 (Merits and Reparations) In the case of Uzcátegui et al., the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (hereinafter “the Inter-American Court” or “the Court”), composed of the following Judges1: Diego García-Sayán, President; Manuel E. Ventura Robles, Vice-President; Leonardo A. Franco, Judge; Rhadys Abreu Blondet, Judge; Alberto Pérez Pérez, Judge; Eduardo Vio Grossi, Judge, and Also present, Pablo Saavedra Alessandri, Secretary, and Emilia Segares Rodríguez, Deputy Secretary, pursuant to Articles 62(3) and 63(1) of the American Convention on Human Rights (hereinafter “the American Convention” or “the Convention”) and to Articles 31, 32, 65 and 67 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court2 (hereinafter “the Rules of Procedure”), delivers this Judgment: 1 Judge Margarette May Macaulay informed the Court that for reasons of force majeur, she could not be present at the discussion and signing of this Judgment. 2 Rules of Procedure of the Court approved by the Court during its Eighty-fifth Regular Period of Sessions held on November 16 to 28, 2009. INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS CASE OF UZCÁTEGUI ET AL. v. VENEZUELA Table of Contents I. PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE ........................................................................... 4 II. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT ............................................................ 5 III. JURISDICTION .......................................................................................... 7 IV. EVIDENCE .................................................................................................. 7 A. - Documentary, testimonial and expert evidence ............................................. 8 B. - Admission of documentary evidence ............................................................ 8 C. - Admission of the Statements of the alleged victims and of the testimonial and expert evidence .............................................................................................. 9 D. - Assessment of the file on Provisional Measures ............................................. 9 V. FACTS ........................................................................................................ 10 A. - Context .................................................................................................. 10 B. - The death of Néstor José Uzcátegui ........................................................... 13 B.1. Undisputed facts .................................................................................................................. 13 B.2. Disputed facts ...................................................................................................................... 13 C. - The investigation into the death of Néstor José Uzcátegui ............................ 15 D. - The arrest of Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui ......................................... 22 E. - Alleged threats and harassment against Luis Enrique Uzcátegui .................... 22 F. - Investigations into the alleged threats, harassment and arrests to the detriment of Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui ............................................................... 25 G. - Criminal proceeding for slander against Luis Enrique Uzcátegui ..................... 30 VI. MERITS .................................................................................................... 31 VI.1 DEPRIVATION OF THE LIFE OF NÉSTOR JOSÉ UZCÁTEGUI ....................... 31 (RIGHT TO LIFE) ............................................................................................ 31 A. - Arguments ............................................................................................. 31 B. - Considerations of the Court ...................................................................... 31 VI.2 THE ARREST OF LUIS AND CARLOS UZCÁTEGUI ON JANUARY 1, 2001. .... 36 (RIGHTS TO PERSONAL LIBERTY AND RIGHTS OF THE CHILD) ....................... 36 A. - Arguments ............................................................................................. 36 B. - Considerations of the Court ...................................................................... 37 VI.3 RIGHT TO HUMANE TREATMENT [PERSONAL INTEGRITY] AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ........................................................................................... 40 A. - Arguments. ............................................................................................ 41 A.1. Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] of Néstor José Uzcátegui 41 A.2. Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] for the treatment of Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui when they were arrested ............................................................... 41 2 A.3. Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] for the threats and harassment suffered by Luis Enrique Uzcátegui ..................................................................................... 41 A.4. Alleged violation of the freedom of expression of Luis Enrique Uzcátegui ..................................... 42 A.5. Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] of the relatives of Néstor and Luis Enrique Uzcátegui.................................................................................................................... 43 A.6. Alleged violation of he right to humane treatment [personal integrity] of Carlos Uzcátegui in relation to the State’s special obligation to protect him given his status as a minor .......................... 44 B. Considerations of the Court ........................................................................ 44 B.1. Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] of Néstor José Uzcátegui 45 B.2. Alleged violations of the right to humane treatment and freedom of expression to the detriment of Luis Enrique Uzcátegui. ..................................................................................................... 45 B.3. Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] of the relatives of Néstor and Luis Enrique Uzcátegui ........................................................................................................ 48 VI.4 RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND PRIVATE PROPERTY ......................................... 49 A. - Arguments ............................................................................................. 49 B.- Considerations of the Court ....................................................................... 49 B.1. Right to privacy ............................................................................................................................... 50 B.2. Right to property ............................................................................................................................. 51 VI. 5 RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL [JUDICIAL GUARANTEES] AND JUDICIAL PROTECTION ............................................................................................... 52 A. - Arguments ............................................................................................. 52 B.- Considerations of the Court ....................................................................... 54 B.1. Investigation and process related to the execution of Néstor José Uzcátegui ..................... 54 B.2. Investigations and legal proceedings related to the events of January 25, 2003. ……………………………………………………………………………………………...58 B.3. Investigations into the detention, threats and harassment against Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui. 59 VII. REPARATIONS ........................................................................................ 60 (APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 63(1) OF THE AMERICAN CONVENTION) ............................ 60 A.- Injured party ........................................................................................... 60 B.- Obligation to investigate the facts .............................................................. 61 C. - Measures of rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non- repetition ...... 62 C.1. Rehabilitation Measures ................................................................................................................. 62 C.2. Measures of Satisfaction ................................................................................................................. 63 C.3. Guarantees of non-repetition. ......................................................................................................... 64 D.- Compensation ......................................................................................... 67 D.1. Pecuniary damages ......................................................................................................................... 67 D.2. Non-pecuniary damages ................................................................................................................. 68 E.- Costs and Expenses .................................................................................. 70 F.- Reimbursement of expenses to the Victims’ Legal Assistance Fund ................. 71 G.- Method of compliance with the payments ordered ........................................ 71 VIII. OPERATIVE PARAGRAPHS ..................................................................... 71 3 I PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE 1. This case concerns the alleged extrajudicial execution of Néstor José Uzcátegui perpetrated on January 1, 2001, by