42. Based on the factual and legal arguments given above, and without prejudging the merits of the matter, THE INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, DECIDES: 1. To declare the instant case admissible as regards the alleged violation of Articles 4, 5, 7, 8(1), 25 and 1(1) of the American Convention to the detriment of José Ronald Valencia, Sinaí Blanco, and approximately 47 other, as yet unidentified, persons in the area of Mapiripán between July 15 and 20, 1997. 2. To notify the Colombian State and the petitioners of this decision. 3. To continue with its analysis of the merits of the case; and 4. To publish this decision and to include it in its Annual Report to the OAS General Assembly. Done and signed at the headquarters of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in Washington, D.C., on this the 22nd day of February, 2001. Signed: Claudio Grossman, Chairman; Juan E. Méndez, First Vice-Chairman; Marta Altolaguirre, Second Vice-Chair; Robert K. Goldman, Peter Laurie, Julio Prado Vallejo, and Hélio Bicudo, Commission members. 9