CASE OF LUNA LÓPEZ v. HONDURAS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I INTRODUCTION TO THE CASE AND PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE .......................................... 4
II PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT ................................................................................... 6
III ......................................................................................................................................... 7
JURISDICTION ...................................................................................................................... 7
IV EVIDENCE ........................................................................................................................ 7
A.
Documentary, testimonial, and expert evidence .................................................... 7
B.
Admission of the evidence .................................................................................. 8
B. 1.
Admission of the documentary evidence and the testimony of the
presumed victims .............................................................................................. 8
V PROVEN FACTS................................................................................................................ 10
A.
Situation of environmentalists in Honduras ......................................................... 10
B.
Facts of the Case ............................................................................................ 12
B. 1.
Carlos Luna López’s political actions and his defense of human rights
and of the environment ................................................................................... 12
B. 2.
Threats suffered by Carlos Luna López and his family ........................ 13
B. 3.
Murder of Mr. Carlos Luna López ......................................................... 16
B. 4.
Preliminary investigation of the facts ................................................. 18
B. 5.
Criminal proceedings against those allegedly responsible .................. 21
VI RIGHT TO LIFE AND POLITICAL RIGHTS........................................................................ 34
A.
Arguments of the parties and the Commission .................................................... 34
B.
Considerations of the Court .............................................................................. 36
B. 1.
Right to life of Carlos Luna López ........................................................ 36
B. 2.
Right of Carlos Luna López to participate in government .................... 43
VII JUDICIAL GUARANTEES AND JUDICIAL PROTECTION ................................................... 44
A.
Arguments of the parties and the Commission .................................................... 45
B.
General considerations of the Court ................................................................... 47
B. 1.
Due diligence in the investigation and clarification of the facts .......... 48
B.2. Reasonable time period ............................................................................ 57
B.3. General Conclusion ................................................................................... 59
VIII RIGHT TO PERSONAL INTEGRITY OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS ....................................... 59
A.
Arguments of the parties and the Commission .................................................... 59
B.
Considerations of the Court .............................................................................. 61
IX ........................................................................................................................................ 64
REPARATIONS..................................................................................................................... 64
A.
Injured Party .................................................................................................. 65
B. Obligation to investigate the facts and identify, judge, and where appropriate,
sanction those responsible ...................................................................................... 65
2