2 1. To reject the Preliminary objections filed by the State. 2. To continue hearing the instant case. 3. On February 2, 2001, the Court delivered judgment on merits and reparations and costs, in which, unanimously, it: 1. Declare[d] that the State violated the principles of legality and non-retroactivity enshrined in Article 9 of the American Convention on Human Rights, to the detriment of the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment. 2. Declare[d] that the State violated the rights to judicial guarantees and judicial protection provided for in Articles 8(1), 8(2) and 25 of the American Convention on Human Rights, to the detriment of the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment. 3. Declare[d] that the State did not violate the right of assembly provided for in Article 15 of the American Convention on Human Rights, to the detriment of the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment. 4. Declare[d] that the State violated the right to freedom of association enshrined in Article 16 of the American Convention on Human Rights, to the detriment of the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment. 5. Declare[d] that the State failed to comply with the general obligations provided for in Articles 1(1) and 2 of the American Convention on Human Rights, in connection with the violations of the substantive rights pointed out in the preceding operative items of th[e] judgment 6. Decide[d] that the State must pay to the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment, the amounts that correspond to unpaid salaries and other labor rights applicable according to its legislation, which payment must, in the case of deceased workers, be made to their beneficiaries. In accordance with the pertinent national procedures, the State shall fix the respective indemnification, in order for the victims and, if applicable, their beneficiaries, to receive it within a maximum term of 12 months from the date of notification of th[e] judgment. 7. Decide[d] that the State must reinstate the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment in their positions, and should this not be possible, that it must provide employment alternatives where the conditions, salaries and remunerations that they had at the time that they were dismissed are respected. In the event that, likewise, the latter is not possible, the State shall proceed to pay the indemnity that corresponds to the termination of employment, in conformity with the internal labor law. In like manner, the State shall provide pension or retirement payment as applicable to the beneficiaries of victims who may have passed away. The State shall comply with the obligations established in this operative item within a maximum term of 12 months from the date of notification of th[e] judgment. 8. Decide[d], for the sake of equitableness, that the State must pay each of the 270 workers mentioned in paragraph 4 of th[e] judgment the amount of US$3,000 (three thousand U.S. dollars) for moral damages. The State shall comply with the obligations established in this operative item within a maximum term of 90 days from the date of notification of th[e] judgment.