11
representatives. She testified about: i) the incident that occurred on March
22, 2002; ii) the measures taken to clarify the historical truth of the facts
and to identify, prosecute, and punish those responsible; iii) the authorities’
attitude and response to these measures; iv) the alleged obstacles faced in
trying to obtain justice; v) the alleged threats and acts of harassment
against her family because of the search to obtain justice in this case, and
vi) the consequences for her personal life and for her family of the alleged
human rights violations in this case.
3.
Fortunato Prisciliano Sierra, Mrs. Fernández Ortega’s husband,
alleged victim, proposed by the representatives. He testified about: i) the
search to obtain justice for the alleged rape of his wife; ii) the alleged
threats and acts of harassment against his family and himself because of the
search for justice, and iii) the way in which he and his family have been
affected by the alleged violations committed in this case.
4.
Obtilia Eugenio Manuel,25 member of the Organización del Pueblo
Indígena Tlapaneco [Organization of the Tlapaneco Indigenous People],
witness proposed by the Inter-American Commission. She testified about: i)
the measures taken to clarify what happened to Mrs. Fernández Ortega, and
to ensure the identification, prosecution and punishment of those
responsible; ii) the authorities’ attitude and response to these measures; iii)
the alleged obstacles faced in the search to obtain justice, and iv) the
alleged threats and acts of harassment related to the search for justice in
this case.
5.
Cuauhtémoc Ramírez Rodríguez, member of the board of the
Organización del Pueblo Indígena Tlapaneco [Organization of the Tlapaneco
Indigenous People], witness proposed by the representatives. He testified
about: i) the circumstances surrounding the alleged rape of which Mrs.
Fernández Ortega was presumably a victim; ii) the alleged use of rape as a
form of harassment practiced by the Army against the social movements in
Guerrero; iii) the supposed effects that Mrs. Fernández Ortega’s alleged rape
had on the work of the Organización del Pueblo Indígena
Tlapaneco/Me’phaa, [Organization of the Tlapaneco/Me’phaa Indigenous
People], and iv) the alleged threats and harassment against those involved
in the search to obtain justice in the case of Mrs. Fernández Ortega.
6.
Hipólito Lugo Cortés, Inspector General of the Commission for the
Defense of Human Rights of Guerrero, witness proposed by the
representatives. He testified about: i) the investigation conducted by the
Commission for the Defense of Human Rights of Guerrero, and ii) the way
Mrs. Fernández Ortega was treated by the authorities when she approached
them to obtain justice.
7.
María Isabel Camila Gutiérrez Moreno, editor and correspondent of
the newspaper, El Sur, witness proposed by the representatives. She
testified about: i) the alleged context of militarization in the indigenous
areas, in particular Ayutla, state of Guerrero, and ii) the documentation,
newspaper articles and investigations that, as a journalist, she had prepared
25
After submitting its final list, the Inter-American Commission requested “the substitution of the
testimony of Mrs. Fernández Ortega for that of Mrs. […] Eugenio Manuel,” to be heard during the public
hearing, owing to the former’s advanced state of pregnancy. The President deemed it pertinent not to
admit this request. Cf. Case of Fernández Ortega et al. v. Mexico. Summons to a public hearing, supra
note 6, Considering clauses 17 and 18. In addition, on March 25, 2010, the Inter-American Commission
requested reconsideration of the President’s decision and the Court ratified the Order of the President of
March 12, 2010. Cf. Case of Fernández Ortega et al. v. Mexico. Order of the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights of April 15, 2010, Considering clauses 4 to 11.