The facts of the case relate to the forced disappearance of Narciso González Medina, an activist who criticised the prevailing dictatorial regime of the time. He was detained on May 26, 1994 and suffered cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment which he was detained under State custody.

The IA Court developed standards regarding the relationship between forced disappearance, its character as a complex violation of human rights, and circumstantial evidence. In conjunction, it pronounced on the responsibility of the State with regards to the lack of due diligence in the investigation of the events and the consequent impairment of the obligation to guarantee the rights of personal liberty, personal integrity, life and recognition of legal personality of the victim.