Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Case of Cantos v. Argentina
Judgment of November 28, 2002
(Merits, Reparations and Costs)
In the Cantos case,
the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (hereinafter “the Court” or “the InterAmerican Court”), composed of the following judges:
Antônio A. Cançado Trindade, President;
Alirio Abreu Burelli, Vice President;
Máximo Pacheco Gómez, Judge;
Hernán Salgado Pesantes, Judge;
Oliver Jackman, Judge;
Sergio García Ramírez, Judge;
Carlos Vicente de Roux Rengifo, Judge; and
Julio A. Barberis, Judge ad hoc;
also present:
Manuel E. Ventura Robles, Secretary; and
Pablo Saavedra Alessandri, Deputy Secretary,
in accordance with articles 29 and 55 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court
(hereinafter “the Rules of Procedure”),1 delivers the following judgment.
I
INTRODUCTION OF THE CASE
1.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (hereinafter “the
Commission” or “the Inter-American Commission”) submitted this case against the
Argentine Republic (hereinafter “the State” or “Argentina” or “the Argentine State”)
via application dated March 10, 1999. The Commission’s case was based on
complaint No. 11,636, received at its Secretariat on May 29, 1996.
II
PROCEEDING BEFORE THE COMMISSION
2.
On that day, the Commission received a complaint alleging violations of Mr.
José María Cantos’ human rights. On June 13, 1996, the Commission forwarded the
pertinent parts of the complaint to the State and requested from it the corresponding
answer. Between July and October 1996, the complainants expanded upon the
1
In accordance with the Court’s Order of March 13, 2001 regarding Transitory Provisions of the
Court’s Rules of Procedure, the instant Judgment is delivered in accordance with the provisions of the
Rules of Procedure in force since June 1, 2001.