ORDER OF THE
INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
OF JUNE 27, 1996
PROVISIONAL MEASURES REQUESTED BY THE
INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
IN THE MATTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA
VOGT CASE
HAVING SEEN:
1.
The petition of March 28, 1996 and its annexes, in which the Inter-American
Commission of Human Rights (hereinafter "the Commission" or "the Inter-American
Commission"), pursuant to Article 63(2) of the American Convention on Human
rights (hereinafter "the Convention" or "the American Convention") and Article 24 of
the Rules of Procedure of the Court (hereinafter "the Rules of Procedure"), submitted
to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (hereinafter "the Court" or "the InterAmerican Court") a request for provisional measures in regard to Father Daniel
Joseph Vogt, in connection with case No. 11.497 currently before the Commission
against the Government of the Republic of Guatemala (hereinafter "the Government"
or "Guatemala").
2.
That the reason for the Commission's request is that Father Daniel Joseph
Vogt, a Catholic priest carrying out his evangelical work in the community of
Rubelpec, El Estor, Izabal in the interior of Guatemala, has for more than a year and
a half, owing to his pastoral work, been the victim of acts of harassment and
persecution mainly in the form of a number of serious death threats, attempts on his
life, and a series of false accusations linking him to offenses such as sedition and
deforestation.
3.
By virtue of the authority conferred on him by Article 24(4) of the Rules of
Procedure, the President of the Court (hereinafter "the President") issued an Order of
April 12, 1996 in which he decided:
1.
To request that, in strict compliance with the obligation to respect and
guarantee human rights which it accepted under Article 1(1) of the American Convention
on Human Rights, the Government of the Republic of Guatemala adopt forthwith such
measures as are necessary measures to protect the life and integrity of Father Daniel
Joseph Vogt and avoid his suffering irreparable damage.
2.
To request that the Government of the Republic of Guatemala investigate the
events and punish those responsible.
3.
To request that the Government of the Republic of Guatemala submit a report
to the President of the Court every thirty days from the date of notification on any
urgent measures it has taken, and that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
submit to the Court its comments on that information within fifteen days of its receipt.
4.
To submit this order for the Court's consideration and pertinent effects during
its next regular session.
5.
To summon the parties to a public hearing to be held at the seat of the Court on