3 the floor and a file that said “Suicidal Power;” the petitioners also informed the Commission that the precautionary measures adopted by Mexico have not been effective. Based on the foregoing, on November 11, 1999, the Commission submitted a request for provisional measures to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on behalf of Digna Ochoa y Plácido, Edgar Cortéz Morales, Mario Patrón Sánchez and Jorge Fernández Mendiburu. On November 17, 1999, the Inter-American Court ordered the State of Mexico, among other operative measures, to: 8. 1. […] adopt, without delay, as many measures as may be necessary to protect the life and integrity of Digna Ochoa y Plácido, Edgar Cortéz Morales, Mario Patrón Sánchez and Jorge Fernández Mendiburu, members of the Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez Human Rights Center. 2. […] adopt, without delay, as many measures as may be necessary to ensure that the persons who work at or go to the offices of the Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center may perform their duties or business without risking their lives or personal integrity. 3. […] investigate the events alleged in the petition that gave rise to the instant measures in order to uncover those responsible and punish them. 9. On August 28, 2001, the Inter-American Court lifted the provisional measures at the request of the Mexican State. 4 Technical Verification Mission of the IACHR At the hearing held during the 113th session, the proposal was made to the Commission for an independent expert selected by the IACHR itself to examine the preliminary investigation into the death of Mrs. Digna Ochoa. After the State and the petitioners reached a consensus on the independent expert to be appointed, the initial mission began on February 22, 2002 and was completed on March 2, 2002. Additionally, the State requested the IACHR to “appoint a team of experts to evaluate the investigations conducted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federal District (PGJDF).” With the consent of the petitioners, on June 7, 2002, the IAHR informed the State that “it had accepted the suggestion to appoint independent specialists to conduct technical studies as agreed upon within the investigation of the matter of reference.” 10. 11. On October 3, 2002, the IACHR informed the petitioners and the State of the terms of reference of the technical evidence verification mission: “it shall be conducted in the areas of forensic sciences, ballistics and forensic pathology. The result of the expert verification does not affect or bind in any way the decision that the IACHR may take on the matter that has been submitted for it to hear, which shall continue to be processed in keeping with the rules prescribed in the American Convention on Human Rights and the Rules of Procedure, and other applicable instruments.” 12. Furthermore, prior to the commencement of the work of the team of experts for technical verification, the IACHR stated: 4 I/A Court H.R., In the Matter of Digna Ochoa y Plácido et al v. Mexico. Decision of the Court November 17, 1999, and Decision of the Court August 28, 2001.