5 observations on the brief or pleadings and motions (hereinafter “answering brief”).6 In said brief, the State filed two preliminary objections, opposed the alleged violations, and the requests for measures of reparation from the Commission and the representatives. 7. Brief with observations on preliminary objections. – On November 14 and 19, 2018, the representatives and the Commission presented their observations on the preliminary objections. 8. Legal Assistance Fund. – By note of October 24, 2018, the President of the Court granted the request submitted by the alleged victims, through their representatives, to avail themselves of the Legal Assistance Fund. 9. Provisional measures. – On January 3, 11, and 12, 2019, the representatives submitted a request for provisional measures to guarantee the rights of Messrs. Juan Francisco Arrom Suhurt, Anuncio Martí Méndez, Víctor Antonio Colmán Ortega, and Esperanza Martínez. The Court dismissed such request by an Order of February 6, 2019.7 On March 16 and 29, 2019, the representatives made a new request for provisional measures in favor of Cristina Arrom in relation to public statements by the Minister of the Interior. The Court dismissed said request by Order of May 13, 2019.8 10. Supervening evidence. – On January 28, 2019, the State forwarded an administrative file from the Paraguayan Office of the Ombudsperson, requesting that it be admitted as documentary evidence in accordance with the provisions of Article 57.2 of the Rules of Procedure of the Court. 11. Public hearing. – On December 17, 2018, the President issued an Order in which he called the parties and the Commission to a public hearing on the preliminary objections and eventual merits, reparations and costs, to receive the final oral arguments of the parties and the Commission's final oral observations on said issues.9 In addition, through this order, two alleged victims, proposed by the representatives, and a witness, proposed by the State, were called to testify at the public hearing. In addition, the President ordered that the statements of 23 declarants were receive through declarations before a notary public (affidavit). These affidavits were presented on January 24, 26 and 31, 2019. On December 21, 2018 Paraguay requested a reconsideration of the President’s order calling for a public hearing. This was addressed through a Court Order of January 29, 2019, in which the Court decided to call an additional witness proposed by the State.10 The public hearing was held on February 7, 2019, during the Court’s 29th Regular Period of Sessions, held at its seat.11 During this hearing, the The State appointed Francisco Barriocanal, Attorney General of the Republic, as its agent, and Minister Marcelo Scappini, General Director of Human Rights, and attorney Rubén Ortiz, Director of the Legal Affairs Department, as alternate agents. 7 Cf. Case of Arrom Suhurt et al. v. Paraguay. Request for Provisional Measures. Order of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of February 6, 2019. Available at: http://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/medidas/arrom_se_01.pdf 8 Cf. Case of Arrom Suhurt et al. v. Paraguay. Request for Provisional Measures. Order of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of May 13, 2019. Available at: http://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/medidas/arrom_se_02.pdf 9 Cf. Case of Arrom Suhurt et al. v. Paraguay. Call to audience. Order of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of December 17, 2018. Available at: http://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/asuntos/arrom_suhurt_17_12_18.pdf 10 Cf. Case of Arrom Suhurt et al. v. Paraguay. Call to a hearing. Order of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of January 29, 2019. Available at: http://www.corteidh.or.cr/docs/asuntos/arrom_29_01_19.pdf 11 The following people appeared at this hearing: a) for the Inter-American Commission: Silvia Serrano Guzmán, Legal Advisor, and Christian González Chacón, Legal Advisor; b) by the representatives of the alleged victims: Carlos Abadie Pankow; Carmen Marina Arrom Suhurt, and María Teresa Arrom Suhurt, and c) for the Paraguayan State: Sergio Coscia Nogués, Attorney General of the Republic; Ricardo Merlo, Deputy Prosecutor in charge of the Specialized Human Rights Unit of the Public Ministry; Marcelo Scappini, General Director of Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; José Félix Fernández Estigarribia, Ambassador of Paraguay to Costa Rica; María Noelia López, Director of Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Renzo Cristaldo, Agent, Delegate Attorney; Pablo Rojas, Delegate Attorney; Belén Diana, Attorney Delegate; Alejandra Peralta, Director of Human Rights of the Public Ministry; Myriam 6