months. On November 8, 2001, the Mexican State reported to the Inter-American Commission
that Teodoro Cabrera García and Rodolfo Montiel Flores had been released from prison on that
date, and it asked the IACHR to grant precautionary measures, at its own initiative, in favor of
both individuals.1 The Inter-American Commission replied to the Mexican State on that same
day, and asked it to take immediately "all concrete measures necessary to protect the physical
integrity and life of Messrs. Cabrera García and Montiel Flores.”
7. On November 10, 2001, a communication was received from the two alleged victims and
from PRODH, reporting that the Federal Prevention Police had kept them under guard ever
since their release, and that they had asked to have the police withdrawn. They declared that
they would henceforth "be resting with their families in a safe place"; that as of November 12,
2001, they would be accompanied by the International Peace Brigades; and that they would
report in due course on other possible measures that might be necessary for their protection.
This communication was relayed to the Mexican State on November 13, 2001. On that date,
the Mexican State sent information on the protective custody that had been provided for
Messrs. Cabrera García and Montiel Flores, and declared that it would offer the International
Peace Brigades "the necessary facilities" to fulfill the task of protecting the petitioners as
requested. The IACHR transmitted a copy of this communication to the petitioners on
November 29, 2001.
8. The campesino environmentalists Teodoro Cabrera García and Rodolfo Montiel Flores
declared in writing on December 19, 2001, that they had decided to accept assistance from the
organization "Global Exchange" as of November 21, 2001, and that they reserved the right to
bring that decision back to the Inter-American Commission. On January 7, 2002, the InterAmerican Commission reported this communication to the Mexican State. No further steps
were taken with respect to precautionary measures, and they therefore expired on April 8,
2002, according to the terms under which they were granted.
9. The Mexican State requested an extension of the January 3, 2002 deadline for responding to
the request for information made pursuant to Article 30 (3) of the IACHR rules of procedure.
On January 9, 2002, the Commission granted an extension until February 2, 2002, and the
State submitted its report on February 5. The Inter-American Commission relayed that
communication to the petitioners on February 22, 2002, and received a response on March 25,
2002. On April 2, 2002, the petitioners' observations were sent to the Mexican State.
10. On May 6, 2002, the State requested a further extension of the time limit for responding,
and it was granted an additional month, to May 21, 2002. The second report, containing the
State's position on this matter, was received on June 25, 2002, and was transmitted to the
petitioners. On July 5, 2002, the petitioners requested an extension for their response, which
was granted on August 26, 2002, for 15 days. On September 8, 2002, the petitioners
submitted their observations. The Commission transmitted that report to the State on
November 4, 2002, requesting information within one month.
11. The petitioners submitted an "expanded petition" on November 11, 2002, and the InterAmerican Commission sent this to the Mexican State on December 2, 2002, requesting
information within one month.
12. On December 5, 2002, the IACHR transmitted to both parties the amicus curiaebrief that it
had received on August 15, 2002, from the Center for Human Rights and Environment and the
Center for International Environmental Law, and this was placed on the file of case P735/01.
13. The petitioners requested an admissibility hearing, in a note of January 3, 2003. On
January 31, 2003, the IACHR advised that it had not accepted that request. On February 18,
2003, the petitioners approached the IACHR to inquire whether a response to the expanded
petition had been received from the Mexican State. On this point, on March 26, 2003, the
1
The State declared that it concurred with the concerns expressed by the petitioners, who feared for the safety of
Messrs. Cabrera García and Montiel Flores in light of the harassment that various members of the campesino
environmental organization (OCESP) had suffered. Communication of the Mexican State of November 8, 2001,
addressed by the Undersecretary for Human Rights and Democracy to the President of the IACHR.
2