ORDER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS1 OF FEBRUARY 9, 2006 PROVISIONAL MEASURES REGARDING THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA MATTER OF THE MONAGAS JUDICIAL CONFINEMENT CENTER (“LA PICA”) HAVING SEEN: 1. The writing of December 29, 2005 and its Appendixes, by means of which the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (hereinafter “the Inter-American Commission” or “the Commission”) submitted to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (hereinafter “the Court” or “the Inter-American Court”) a request for provisional measures, pursuant to Articles 63(2) of the American Convention on Human Rights (hereinafter "the Convention" or "the American Convention"), Article 25 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court (hereinafter "the Rules of Procedure") and Article 74 of the Rules of Procedure of the Commission, with the purpose, inter alia, that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (hereinafter “the State” or “Venezuela”) “may protect the life and personal integrity of the persons detained in the Monagas Judicial Confinement Center, also known as `La Pica´” (hereinafter “La Pica Confinement Center,” “La Pica” or “the Confinement Center.”) 2. The communication of December 30, 2005 whereby the Commission informed that on December 29, 2005, it had “registered petition P-1487/05, filed on behalf of the persons held in custody” at the Confinement Center. 3. The alleged facts upon which the request for provisional measures, filed by the Commission, is grounded are listed below: a) the penitentiary system of Venezuela is actually in a very precarious and serious condition. From January 1 to November 30, 2005, approximately 425 persons died and other 657 persons were injured during violent actions occurred within the jails of Venezuela; b) at La Pica Confinement Center, located in the city of Maturín, 43 persons died and at least 25 were seriously injured, which accounts for over 10% of the violent deaths occurred within premises of the penitentiary system nationwide; 1 Judge Diego García-Sayán informed the Court that, for reasons beyond his control, he would be unable to be present at the deliberations and sign this Order.