- 65 - that the creation of “the Manuel Cepeda Foundation (set up in 1994 […]) became practically the focal point of his family, from shortly after his execution,” as a “way of dealing with” the facts.258 In this regard, María Estella Cepeda Vargas testified that “on August 9, the ill-fated date of [my] brother’s murder, while we were keeping vigil over him in the National Capitol [Note: the seat of Congress], his son Iván, his daughter María and Iván’s wife, Claudia, and the siblings who were present, we decided to set up the Manuel Cepeda Vargas Foundation.”259 María Cepeda and Claudia Girón took part in the creation of this Foundation,260 and Iván Cepeda Castro “focused all his energies and, overall, his whole life, on the elucidation of the truth about what happened and the prosecution of those responsible for the assassination, and on the creation of the Foundation.”261 Based on the documentation examined and on the testimony of the different people interviewed, the expert witness described the central role played by Iván Cepeda in the investigation of his father’s murder.262 Moreover, María Cepeda acted, together with Iván Cepeda, as spokesperson of the Foundation, and “from Europe collaborate[d] with the lobbying activities, organizing the tours, and preparing press communiqués.”263 In addition, both Iván and María Cepeda took part in meetings with different authorities to request that the investigations be expedited.264 The efforts made through the Foundation to clarify the facts “took place in a context of constant threats.”265 187. Furthermore, María Estella Cepeda, one of the Senator’s sisters, stated that “the best homage that she could pay [to her] brother was to present [her] candidacy for the UP.”266 She testified that her “life has changed radically, because [she has] to be accompanied permanently by an escort […] since, from the time [she] became a counselor for the [UP] and because [she] was the sister of Manuel Cepeda Vargas, [she General of the Nation, National Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Unit, testimony of Diego Fernando Murillo Bejarano on September 17, 2009, supra note 164, folios 9068 to 9080. 258 Cf. Opinion provided before notary public (affidavit) by expert witness Carlos Martín Beristain, supra note 208, folio 8243. 259 Cf. testimony given by María Estella Cepeda Vargas at the public hearing held before the Inter-American Court on January 26, 2010. 260 Cf. sworn statement made before notary public (affidavit) by Claudia Victoria Girón Ortiz, supra note 257, folio 8296, and sworn statement made before notary public (affidavit) by María Cepeda Castro on December 30, 2009 (evidence file, tome XX, folio 8544). 261 Cf. Opinion provided before notary public (affidavit) by expert witness Carlos Martín Beristain, supra note 208, folio 8240. 262 Cf. Opinion provided before notary public (affidavit) by expert witness Carlos Martín Beristain, supra note 208, folio 8243. Likewise, María Estella stated that “the weight of all this has been supported by the Fundación Manuel Cepeda Vargas on behalf of Iván Cepeda and Claudia, his wife.” Testimony given by María Estella Cepeda Vargas at the public hearing held before the Inter-American Court on January 26, 2010. See also an article that appeared on the Internet site of “The Washington Post” (at “washingtonpost.com”) on October 19, 2005, entitled “Keeping Alive the Memories of Colombia’s Victims” written by Nora Boustany (evidence file, tome V, attachment 38 to the brief with pleadings, motions and evidence, folios 2339 to 2341), and an article that appeared in “The New York Times” on January 8, 2005, entitled “A Colombian Fighting for Victims of a Political War” by Nora Boustany (evidence file, tome V, attachment 39 to the brief with pleadings, motions and evidence, folios 2343 to 2346). 263 Sworn statement made before notary public (affidavit) by Claudia Victoria Girón Ortiz, supra note 257, folios 8298. 264 Cf. sworn statement made before notary public (affidavit) by María Cepeda Castro on December 30, 2009, supra note 260, folio 8544. 265 Cf. Opinion provided before notary public (affidavit) by expert witness Carlos Martín Beristain, supra note 208, folio 8243. 266 Testimony given by María Estella Cepeda Vargas at the public hearing held before the Inter-American Court on January 26, 2010.