2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I INTRODUCTION OF THE CASE AND PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE .............................. 4
II PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT .................................................................. 5
III JURISDICTION ............................................................................................. 6
IV PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS ............................................................................ 7
A.
Arguments of the State and observations of the Commission and the representatives ... 7
B.
Considerations of the Court .................................................................................... 8
1.
Inclusion of Article 16 of the Convention in the Merits Report ................................. 9
2.
Temporal delimitation of the analysis of judicial actions ....................................... 10
V EVIDENCE .................................................................................................... 11
A.
Documentary, testimonial and expert evidence ....................................................... 11
B.
Admission of the evidence.................................................................................... 11
1.
Admission of the documentary evidence............................................................. 11
2.
Admission of the testimonial and expert evidence ............................................... 11
C.
Assessment of the evidence ................................................................................. 12
VI FACTS ........................................................................................................ 13
A.
The Industrial Communities in Peru ....................................................................... 13
B.
Background, functions and responsibilities of Mr. Lagos del Campo as president of the
Electoral Committee of the Industrial Community ........................................................... 16
C.
The dismissal of Mr. Lagos del Campo and the applicable legal framework ................. 17
D.
Actions filed by Mr. Lagos del Campo .................................................................... 21
1.
Application for review of dismissal ..................................................................... 21
2.
Application for amparo and nullity ..................................................................... 22
3.
Application for amparo before the Constitutional Court ........................................ 23
E.
The situation of Mr. Lagos del Campo after his dismissal .......................................... 25
VII MERITS ..................................................................................................... 25
VII-1.............................................................................................................. 26
FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND EXPRESSION, RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL, JOB SECURITY,
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION, AND DOMESTIC LEGAL EFFECTS ................................ 26
(ARTICLES 13, 8, 26, 16, 1(1) AND 2 OF THE AMERICAN CONVENTION) ................. 26
A.
Arguments of the parties and of the Commission .................................................... 27
1.
Freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial ............................................... 27
2.
Freedom of association .................................................................................... 28
3.
Domestic legal effects ...................................................................................... 29
B.
Considerations of the Court .................................................................................. 29
1.
Freedom of expression and judicial guarantees ................................................... 29
1.1 Freedom of expression in labor contexts ............................................................ 30
1.2 Analysis of the necessity and reasonableness of the restriction in this case............. 32
1.2.1 Classification of Mr. Lagos del Campo’s statements............................................. 33
1.2.2. Legality and purpose ..................................................................................... 37
1.2.3. Necessity for the restriction and obligation to state reasons ................................ 38
2.
Violation of job security ................................................................................... 41
2.1 Arguments on labor rights ................................................................................ 41
2.2 The right to job security as a protected right ...................................................... 44
3.
Violations of freedom of association ................................................................... 49
4.
Domestic legal effects ...................................................................................... 52
5.
General conclusion .......................................................................................... 52
VII-2.............................................................................................................. 52
ACCESS TO JUSTICE ......................................................................................... 52
(ARTICLES 8 AND 25 OF THE AMERICAN CONVENTIONA) ...................................... 52
A.
Arguments of the parties and of the Commission .................................................... 52
B.
Considerations of the Court .................................................................................. 53
1.
Access to justice to protect job security as a right recognized in the Constitution .... 54
2.
Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 58
VIII ............................................................................................................... 58
REPARATIONS ................................................................................................. 58
(APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 63(1) OF THE AMERICAN CONVENTION) ..................... 58