3 15. On November 6, 2003, a communication was received from the State in which it presented its observations on the merits of the case. This communication was sent to the petitioners on April 20, 2004, with the request that they file their observations within one month. 16. The petitioners submitted their observations on June 8, 2004. On July 19, 2004, the petitioners’ observations were forwarded to the State, which was asked to present its observations within one month. 17. On April 21, 2009, the Commission asked the State and the petitioners to submit a copy of the most important documents and exhibits in the proceedings and updated information on the case. On June 19, 2009, the petitioners presented relevant documents from the judicial proceeding. On July 7, 2009, the pertinent parts of the information supplied by the petitioners were forwarded to the State, with the request that it present its observations within one month. 18. On August 14, 2009, the State requested an extension for presentation of its observations. The Commission granted the State a one-month extension on August 19, 2009. 19. The State presented its observations on October 26, 2009. On October 30, 2009, the information provided by the State was forwarded to the petitioners with the request for them to submit their observations within one month. 20. On December 29, 2009, the petitioners submitted their observations on the State’s position. On January 5, 2010, the information presented by the petitioners was forwarded to the State, which was asked to present its observations within one month. 21. On March 4, 2010, a communication was received from the State in which it provided additional information. On April 26, 2010, the pertinent parts of the information supplied by the State were forwarded to the petitioners. 22. On June 23, 2010, the petitioners filed their observations on the information supplied by the State. On July 7, 2010, the petitioners’ communication was forwarded to the State, with the request that it present its observations within one month. 23. The State submitted its observations on August 31, 2010, the pertinent parts of which were forwarded to the petitioners on September 15, 2012. 24. On August 22, 2012, the Commission requested additional information from the petitioners. On September 13, 2012, the petitioners presented the information requested, which was then forwarded to the State on September XX, 2012, with the request to present its observations within one month. 25. On December 17, 2012 the Commission received a complete copy of the record of the judicial proceedings at the domestic level from the petitioners, which was served to the State in January 29 2013, giving a one month deadline to present additional observations on such information. Up to the date of the approval of this report, the State has not presented a response.