the nature of the international jurisdiction for the protection of human rights. This
assessment must be made on an equitable basis and taking into account the expenses
incurred by the parties, provided their quantum is reasonable. 308
242. In the present case, the Court notes that in regard to the domestic administrative
and legal proceedings, the representatives only provided evidence of the expenses for
attorney’s fees regarding the two administrative proceedings before the Comptroller
General of the Republic, amounting to US$ 1,744.18. That is, the record does not provide
evidentiary proof regarding the amounts that the victim incurred regarding the cited
judicial proceedings and for the concept of procedural expenses. Nevertheless, the Court
considers that it is reasonable to assume that during these proceedings the victim made
economic expenditures. On the other hand, in regard to the proceeding before the InterAmerican System, the Court notes that Mr. López Mendoza and the representatives
incurred several expenses related to fees, transport, communication services, travel,
photocopies, among other expenses.309 While the amounts have not been duly proven in
their totality,310 the Court can infer that before the Inter-American System, the victim and
the representatives incurred expenses totaling approximately US$ 11,557.52. Moreover,
US$ 35,000 have been requested for fees. Nevertheless, the representatives did not
present specific arguments that allow for an analysis of reasonability and scope of the
request for fees.
243. Taking into account the arguments and comments of the parties and the evidence
submitted, the Court determines --in equity-- that the State must pay the amount of
US$12,000.00 (twelve thousand dollars of the United States of America) to the victim, for
costs and expenses. This amount must be paid within one year of notification of
this Judgment. Mr. López Mendoza will deliver, in turn, the amount considered
appropriate to his representatives in the domestic forum and in the process before the
Inter-American System. The Court also states that in the process of monitoring
compliance with this Judgment, it may provide for the reimbursement to the victim or
his representatives, by the State, of reasonable expenses incurred in this stage of the
proceedings.
E.
Method of compliance with the reimbursement of costs and expenses
244. The State must pay the reimbursement of costs and expenses directly to the
victim, within one year of legal notice of this Judgment, under the terms of the following
paragraphs.
245. The State must comply with its obligations by payment in dollars of the United
States of America or the equivalent amount in Venezuelan money, using the exchange
rate in force in the New York exchange, United States of America, the day before the
payment to make the respective calculation.
308
Cf. Case of Garrido and Baigorria, supra note 305, para. 82; Case of Chocrón Chocrón, supra note 13,
para. 196, and Case of Mejía Idrovo, supra note 15, para. 161.
309
Costs for flight Caracas-Washington-Caracas for Messers. Enrique Sánchez and Leopoldo López
Mendoza; flights for Caracas-Costa Rica-Caracas for the representatives of Mr. López Mendoza, him and the
declarants required for the public hearing in this case; on the ground transportation in San José, Costa Rica;
food in hotel; national and international telephone service, and photocopies (case file on the merits, annex A,
folios 1378 to 1390 and case file of annexes to the brief of pleadings and motions, Annexes L, folios 5369).
310
Lodging for Mr. Enrique Sánchez, Mr. José A. Maes, and Mr. Alberto Arteaga is not evident in the
receipts (case file on the merits, Annex A, folio 1379).
85
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