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307. The information available indicates that this procedure is only required in the first stage
of the extradition process, which is conducted before the courts. That stage ends with issuance of the
Advisory Resolution. Nothing in the law suggests that the person whose extradition is sought or his legal
representative may participate in the decision-making stage, which is in the hands of the Executive
Branch.
308. The provisions of the Peruvian Code of Criminal Procedure that regulate the extradition
process, which were cited in the section on facts established, do not provide for any procedure that
would ensure some form of participation for the person whose extradition is sought, so that the person
might express his views on his extradition and/or take specific measures to assert the rights that he
believes will be violated if his extradition is ordered. Nothing in the applicable provisions requires that
the person in question be advised of any developments related to the extradition request.
309. Having examined the available records of the proceedings, the Commission observes
that through his legal representative, Mr. Wong Ho Wing filed briefs during the process and has availed
himself of a number of remedies. Nevertheless, the petitioner has alleged to the Commission that the
State has violated his rights to due process, as he has not had access to basic documents pertaining to
the extradition request, such as the request itself, or to the assurances offered by the People’s Republic
of China and their content. The petitioner alleges that those documents have come his way as a result of
the defense that the State mounted in the proceedings before the organs of the inter-American system.
As the established facts show, at various times in the process Mr. Wong Ho Wing’s legal representative
has filed requests for information on the documents pertaining to the extradition process.
310. The petitioner’s argument regarding the lack of timely information on the extradition
process and the respective documents, is a negative argument, i.e., it involves an alleged omission by
the State that cannot be proved. That being the case, it is up to the State, which has all the means to do
so, to show otherwise.
311. On the burden of proving negative allegations, in the case of Chaparro Álvarez and Lapo
Íñiguez v. Ecuador the Court wrote the following:
In the instant case, the victim has no available means of proving this fact. His allegation is of a
negative nature, and indicates the inexistence of a fact. The State declares that the information
about the reasons for the arrest was provided. This is an allegation of a positive nature and, thus,
245
susceptible of proof.
312. The Peruvian State has not provided the complete file of the extradition process or of
the various remedies attempted in the domestic courts. Nor has it presented any documentation
indicating that it did in fact make available to Mr. Wong Ho Wing and his legal representative the
information needed to exercise his right to a hearing or to file adequate and timely remedies in the
context of a process in which his rights might have been at stake. Thus, the Peruvian State failed to
satisfy the burden of proof that was its burden under the circumstances.
245
I/A Court H.R., Chaparro-Álvarez and Lapo-Íñiguez. v. Ecuador Case. Preliminary Objections, Merits, Reparations
and Costs. Judgment of November 21, 2007. Series C No. 170. Para. 73.