4 deceased) and Roberto Franco Pérez (grandfather, deceased), and the right to guarantees and judicial protection recognized in Articles 8(1) and 25 of the American Convention, in relation to Article 24 thereof, and as required by the general obligation imposed in Article 1(1). Based on the foregoing conclusions, the Commission recommends that the State: 1. Complete a timely, immediate, serious and impartial investigation to solve the 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. murder of María Isabel Véliz Franco and to identify, prosecute and, if appropriate, punish those responsible. Make full reparations to the next of kin of María Isabel Véliz Franco for the human rights violations herein established. As a measure of non-repetition, introduce a comprehensive and coordinated State policy, backed by sufficient public funds, to ensure that the specific cases of violence against women are properly prevented, investigated, prosecuted and redressed. Introduce reforms in the State’s educational programs, starting in the early, formative years, so as to promote respect for women as equals and observance of their rights to nonviolence and nondiscrimination. Investigate the irregularities committed by agents of the State in their investigation of the case and punish those responsible. Bolster the institutional capacity to combat impunity in cases of violence against women, through effective criminal investigations conducted from a gender perspective and that have constant judicial oversight, thereby ensuring proper punishment and redress. Take measures and launch campaigns designed to make the general public aware of the duty to respect and ensure the human rights of children. Adopt comprehensive public policies and institutional programs designed to eliminate discriminatory stereotypes about women’s role and to promote the eradication of discriminatory socio-cultural patterns that prevent women’s full access to justice; this should include training programs for public officials in all sectors of government, including education, the various sectors involved in the administration of justice, the police, as well as comprehensive policies on prevention. The Commission considers that the instant case presents issues of interAmerican public order in relation to the duty of the States to carry out serious, diligent, and effective investigations in relation to acts of violence and discrimination against women – and especially diligent in the case where the victims are girls – that answer to the seriousness of the crime. Another issue of inter-American public order is the duty of the states to establish legislation and public policies to punish and fight the practices of discrimination and violence against women. Additionally, and in accordance with article 35.1 f) of the Rules of Procedures, the Commission offers the following expert declarations in connection with the interAmerican public interest issues related to this case: Elizabeth Salmón will refer to international standards on the duty of states to conduct serious, diligent and effective investigations into violence against women, with a special emphasis on the particular diligence that the investigation should have when the victims are girls. Particularly, she will refer to the importance of research as a crucial