6 25. On April 12, 2004, the non-governmental organisations Harvard Law Student Advocates for Human Rights and Global Justice Centre submitted an amici curiae brief in the present case. 26. On September 6, 2004, the non-governmental organisation Interights submitted an amicus curiae brief in the present case. 27. On October 20, 2004, the President issued an Order, pursuant to article 47(3) of the Rules of Procedure, requiring Mr. Caesar, a witness called by the InterAmerican Commission, and Desmond Allum and Andrew Coyle, expert witnesses also called by the Inter-American Commission, to file their respective affidavits on the time limit of seven days, for transmission to the State and the representatives for their observations. The President also summoned the parties to present their final oral arguments on merits, possible reparations and costs at a public hearing to be held on November 15, 2004, with final written briefs to be filed no later than December 16, 2004, and ordered the appearance of Dr. Robert Ferris, an expert witness called by the Inter-American Commission. 28. On November 3, 2004, the Commission submitted the affidavits of Winston Caesar, Desmond Allum, Andrew Coyle and Robert Ferris. The State and the representatives did not submit any observations. 29. On November 15, 2004, at the public hearing on the merits and possible reparations and costs, the Court heard the expert testimony of Dr. Ferris, called by the Inter-American Commission, as well as the final oral arguments on the merits, possible reparations and costs of the Commission and the representatives. Appearing before the Court: for the Inter-American Commission: Clare K. Roberts, delegate; Brian Tittemore, advisor; for the representatives: Peter Carter, representative; Andrea Monks, representative; and expert witness proposed by the Inter-American Commission: Robert Ferris. 30. The State did not appear in the public hearing. Accordingly, the hearing was held pursuant to Article 27 of the Rules of Procedure, which was read by the Secretary at the beginning of the hearing and states the following: Article 27. Default Procedure 1. When a party fails to appear in or continue with a case, the Court shall, on its own motion, take such measures as may be necessary to complete the consideration of the case.