The facts of the case concern various violations of due process guarantees of a group of people facing the death penalty as a result of convictions for the crime of murder.

In its ruling, the Inter-American Court analyzed the validity and application of the "mandatory death penalty" in light of the state's obligation to respect and guarantee the right to life and the obligation to adapt norms of domestic law to the American Convention. In addition, the Court analyzed the conditions of detention stating that the constant threat that at any moment they may be hanged because of legislation and proceedings contrary to the American Convention constitutes cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.