10 consideration of the merits of a contentious case.15 In this sense, the adoption of provisional measures does not imply a possible decision on the merits of the controversy that exists between the petitioners and the State if the case were to, in the end, be heard by the Court, nor does it prejudge the state’s responsibility for the facts denounced.16 THEREFORE: THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, in exercise of the authority conferred upon it by Article 63(2) of the American Convention on Human Rights and Articles 27 and 31 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court, DECIDES: 1. To require the State to adopt, immediately, the measures necessary to determine, as soon as possible, the whereabouts of Rocío Irene Alvarado Reyes, Nitza Paola Alvarado Espinoza, and José Ángel Alvarado Herrera, as well as to protect their personal freedom, their right to humane treatment, and their life. 2. To require the State to inform the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, no later than June 3, 2010, of that indicated in the first operative paragraph of the present Order. 3. To require the State, likewise, to inform the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, every two months, computed as of June 3, 2010, of the provisional measures adopted pursuant with the decision. 4. To request that the representatives of the beneficiaries and the Inter-American Commission present to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, within a one-week term, the observations considered appropriate to the report mentioned in the second operative paragraph of the present Order. 5. To request that the representatives of the beneficiaries and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights present their observations, within a four and six week term, respectively, computed as of the notification of the State’s reports indicated in the third operative paragraph. 6. To request that the Secretariat notify the present Order to the State, the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, and the representatives of the beneficiaries. Diego García-Sayán President 15 Cf. Matter American Court of Cantú et al., supra Considering Clause of James et al. Provisional Measures regarding Trinidad and Tobago. Order of the InterHuman Rights of August 29, 1998, Considering Clause number six; Case of Rosendo note 5, Considering Clause number fifteen; and Matter of Guerrero Larez, supra note 6, number seventeen. 16 Cf. Matter of James et al. Provisional Measures regarding Trinidad and Tobago. Order of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of July 13, 1998, Considering Clause number six; Case of Rosendo Cantú et al., supra note 5, Considering Clause number sixteen; and Matter of the Urso Branco Prison. Provisional Measures regarding Brazil. Order of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of November 25, 2009, Considering Clause number four.