70 173. Articles 8 and 25 of the Convention establish the scope of the abovementioned principle of responsibility for the acts of any State organ in connection with the acts and omissions of judicial authorities. 130 174. In similar cases, this Court has held that the clarification of alleged failures by the State through its judicial authorities to comply with its international obligations may lead the Court to examine the domestic proceedings. In light of the foregoing, domestic proceedings must be regarded as a whole, as the function of the international tribunal is to determine whether the entirety of the proceedings was conducted pursuant to the rules of international law.131 175. In making such analysis, the Court considers that, under the American Convention, the Status Parties must afford effective judicial remedies to the victims of human rights violations (Article 25), which must be substantiated pursuant to the rules of the due process of law (Article 8(1)), notwithstanding the general obligation of the States to guarantee the free and full exercise of the rights of all persons under their jurisdiction pursuant to the Convention (Article 1(1)).132 176. We conclude from the analysis of the facts of the instant case that Albertina Viana-Lopes and Irene Ximenes-Lopes-Miranda were who took steps for commencing, accompanied, and intervened in, the proceedings aimed at knowing the fate of Mr. Damião Ximenes-Lopes. Therefore, the Court will now analyze whether the State afforded them effective recourse. A) Police Investigation and Proceedings Related to the Death of Mr. Damião XimenesLopes 177. The States’ duty to investigate violations of the rights to life and humane treatment is a prerequisite for guaranteeing said rights, pursuant to Article 1(1) of the American Convention. In the instant case, the Court has established that the State has breached its duties of respect, prevention and protection, and is thus responsible for the violation of Mr. Damião Ximenes-Lopes’ rights to life and to humane treatment (supra para. 150). 178. In view of the facts, the State commenced a police inquest and took various steps in connection with the death of Mr. Damião Ximenes-Lopes. The Court will attempt to establish whether such steps have been serious, impartial and effective, and whether or not they have been conducted merely as a formality.133 130 Cf. Case of Baldeón-García, supra note 4, para. 141; Case of López-Álvarez, supra note 121, para. 28; and Case of Herrera Ulloa. Judgment of July 2, 2004. Series C No. 107, para. 109. 131 Cf. Case of Baldeón-García, supra note 4, para. 142; Case of Lori Berenson-Mejía, supra note 24, para. 133; and Case of Juan Humberto Sánchez, supra note 30, para. 120. 132 Cf. Case of Baldeón-García, supra note 4, para. 143; Case of López-Álvarez, supra note 121, para. 147; and Case of Pueblo Bello Massacre, supra note 25, para. 169. 133 Cf. Case of Baldeón-García, supra note 4, para. 92 and 93; Case of Pueblo Bello massacre, supra note 25, para. 143 and 144; and Case of Gómez Palomino, supra note 21, para. 77.