For decades, the transition to democracy in different countries of Latin America has been Jurisprudence Digest of Latin American marked by complex social, political, and legal processes, which have been resolutely driven by national, regional, and international victims’ movements. These same processes have given rise to a renewed debate on the rights of victims to know the truth about the events, gain access to justice, receive assistance and protection, and receive comprehensive reparation for the harm. Despite the recognition of each of these rights under the law, however, their protection continues to encounter challenges that must be addressed through solid legal arguments. In this respect, the Digest of Latin American Jurisprudence on the Rights of Victims seeks to facilitate the analysis, comparison, interpretation, and application of different Latin American legal provisions and criteria as an essential step toward the effective enjoyment of the rights of victims within different court proceedings. The Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF) is a regional organization composed of a multinational group of professionals, whose mandate is to promote the rule of law in Latin America. DPLF was founded by Thomas Buergenthal, former president of the International Court of Justice (The Hague) and of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Costa Rica). Its work focuses on the strengthening of judicial independence, the fight against impunity, and respect for fundamental rights in the context of natural resources extraction. DPLF conducts its work through applied research, cooperation with public and private organizations and institutions, and advocacy and outreach actions. DPLF’s Transitional Justice Program, which was responsible for the production of the Digest Digest of Latin American of Latin American Jurisprudence on the Rights of Victims, works to advance the fight against impunity. This program promotes the use of international and inter-American law to determine Jurisprudence on the State and individual responsibility for the commission of international crimes and serious violations on the Rights of Victims www.dplf.org of human rights in Latin America. Rights of Victims 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 710 Author Washington, DC 20036 Ximena Medellín Urquiaga Telephone: 202-462-7701 / Fax: 202-462-7703 www.dplf.org/[email protected] Editor Tatiana Rincón-Covelli This volume was published with financial support from the Oak Foundation. ISBN: 978-0-9827557-5-5 DIGEST OF LATIN AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE ON THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS Due Process of Law Foundation Washington, D.C. 2015 Due Process of Law Foundation All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Published by Due Process of Law Foundation Washington, DC 20036 www.dplf.org ISBN: 978-0-9827557-5-5. Cover design: Miki Fernández Graphic design: Romy Kanashiro This volume was published with financial support from the Oak Foundation. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oak Foundation. CONTENTS Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ iii Preface ............................................................................................................................................................. v Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... vii Methodological considerations ................................................................................................................... xiii List of judgments ........................................................................................................................................... xv Overview of the rights of victims ............................................................................................................... xxix SECTION 1. Victims’ RIGHTS .................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Legal concept of “victims” ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Legal and policy rationale for victims’ rights ......................................................................................... 6 1.3 Legal recognition of victims’ rights in domestic law ............................................................................. 8 1.4 Judicial acceptance of international standards on victims’ rights ......................................................... 14 1.5 Victims’ rights in the transition to or restoration of democracy and/or peace ..................................... 20 SECTION 2. RiGHT to PRotection MEASURes ................................................................ 25 SECTION 3. RiGHT to THE TRUTH ......................................................................................... 33 3.1 Right to the truth (victims of crime) ................................................................................................... 38 3.2 Right to the truth (victims of human rights violations) ...................................................................... 39 3.3 Legal and policy rationale for the right to the truth ............................................................................ 42 3.4 State obligations in relation to the right to the truth .......................................................................... 44 3.5 Right to the truth in relation to the right to access to justice .............................................................. 44 3.5.1 Social dimension of the right to the truth and its connection to popular action ....................... 45 3.5.2 Right to the truth in relation to the non-applicability of statutes of limitations to international crimes ............................................................................................ 46 SECTION 4. RiGHT to Access to JUstice ........................................................................... 48 4.1 Constitutional limitations to the legislative development of the right to access to justice ................... 56 4.2 The victim and/or injured or aggrieved party as a participant in and/or party to the criminal proceeding .......................................................................................... 58 4.3 Procedural institutions for the participation of the victim and/or injured or aggrieved party in the case .................................................................................................. 59 4.4 Procedural timing of the participation of the victim and/or injured or aggrieved party ...................... 62 4.5 Specific rights of victims in criminal cases ........................................................................................... 63 4.5.1 Right to legal assistance (national effects of the international representation of victims) ......... 63 4.5.2 Right to the protection of privacy and personal information in criminal cases ......................... 63 4.5.3 Right to pursue criminal action autonomously ......................................................................... 64 4.5.4 Right to participate in the indictment hearing .......................................................................... 64 4.5.5 Right to access the case file ........................................................................................................ 66 4.5.6 Right to participate in trial proceedings .................................................................................... 66 4.5.7 Right to appeal an acquittal ...................................................................................................... 68 iii DIGEST OF LATIN AMERICAN JURISPRUDENCE ON THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS 4.6 Exercise of State duties in view of the right to access to justice ........................................................... 68 4.6.1 The duty to investigate in relation to the victims’ rights ........................................................... 68 4.6.2 Due diligence (proactive and exhaustive) and victims’ rights .................................................... 70 4.6.3 Prosecutorial discretion and victims’ rights ................................................................................ 72 4.6.4 Judicial intervention in the case as a measure for the protection of victims’ rights at trial ......... 74 4.6.5 Proceedings to obtain additional evidence and the protection of victims’ rights ....................... 76 4.7 Victims’ rights as a limit to the jus puniendi of the State ..................................................................... 79 4.8 Denial of access to justice .................................................................................................................... 80 4.9 Right to judicial protection ................................................................................................................. 82 4.9.1 Pro-victim interpretation of the procedural rules governing constitutional remedies ................ 90 4.9.2 Court’s authority to amend deficient pleadings ......................................................................... 91 SECTION 5. RiGHT to RepARAtion ....................................................................................... 94 5.1 Legal and policy rationale for the right to reparation (victims of crime) ............................................