Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Case of Benjamin et al. v. Trinidad and Tobago
Judgment of September 1, 2001
(Preliminary Objections)
In the Benjamin et al. case,
the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (hereinafter “the Inter-American Court”,
“the Court” or “the Tribunal”), composed of the following judges:
Antônio A. Cançado Trindade, President;
Máximo Pacheco-Gómez, Vice-President;
Hernán Salgado-Pesantes, Judge;
Oliver Jackman, Judge;
Alirio Abreu-Burelli, Judge;
Sergio García-Ramírez, Judge; and
Carlos Vicente de Roux-Rengifo, Judge;
also present:
Manuel E. Ventura-Robles, Secretary, and
Pablo Saavedra-Alessandri, Deputy Secretary;
pursuant to Article 36 of its Rules of Procedure1 (hereinafter “the Rules of
Procedure”), delivers the following judgment on the preliminary objection filed by the
State of Trinidad and Tobago (hereinafter “the State” or “Trinidad and Tobago”).
I
INTRODUCTION OF THE CASE
1)
The present case was submitted to the Court by the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (hereinafter “the Inter-American Commission” or “the
Commission”) on October 5, 2000. The Commission’s application originates from the
petitions numbered 12,148 (Peter Benjamin), 12,149 (Krishendath Seepersad),
12,151 (Allan Phillip), 12,152 (Narine Sooklal), 12,153 (Amir Mowlah), 12,156
(Mervyn Parris) and 12,157 (Francis Mansingh), received by its Secretariat between
January and May of 1999.
II
FACTS SET FORTH IN THE APPLICATION
1
In accordance with the Court’s Order of March 13, 2001, regarding Transitory Provisions of the
Court, the instant Judgment on the preliminary objection is delivered according to the norms of the
Court’s Rules of Procedure adopted in the Court’s Order of September 16, 1996.