of rights the petitioner believed infringed, internal remedies must be understood to have been exhausted. 18. Regarding the petitioners' allegations of pressures on the Supreme Court to rule against Mr. Colindres' claims, the State asserted that the hearing of cases by the Constitutional Chamber is not subject to political influence of any kind. The Chamber strictly applies the principle of judicial independence enshrined in the Salvadoran Constitution and international treaties, so that its decisions are consistent with the law and its magistrates are independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law. 19. As to the allegations concerning the procedure in the Legislative Assembly, the State replied that the legislature's actions had been duly taken into account by the Supreme Court in deciding Mr. Colindres' constitutional protection applications, with due regard at all times for the principle of separation of powers. IV. ADMISSIBILITY A. Jurisdiction of the Commission ratione materiae, ratione personae, ratione temporis and ratione loci 20. The petitioners are empowered under Article 44 of the American Convention to file petitions with the IACHR. The petition names Mr. Eduardo Benjamín Colindres as the alleged victim whose rights under the American Convention the Republic of El Salvador has undertaken to respect and guarantee. As for the State, the Commission points out that El Salvador is a party to the American Convention since June 23, 1978, when it deposited its instrument of ratification. Consequently, the Commission has jurisdiction ratione personae to hear the petition. 21. The Commission has jurisdiction ratione materiae because the petitioners allege violations of rights protected by the American Convention. 22. The Commission has jurisdiction ratione loci because the alleged violations took place within the territory of a State party to the American Convention. The Commission has jurisdiction ratione temporis because, when the alleged events began, the obligation to respect and guarantee the rights established in the American Convention was already in force for the Salvadoran State. B. Other admissibility requirements 6