17 more evident when in association to those who are related to processes before the supervising organs of the American Convention9. 11. That the purpose of the provisional measures, in the national juridical systems (internal procedural law) is, in general, to preserve the rights of the parties in dispute, guaranteeing that the future merit decision is not harmed by their actions pendente lite.10 12. That the purpose of the provisional measures, in International Law of Human Rights, goes beyond, since, besides its essentially preventive nature, they protect fundamental rights, as long as they seek to prevent irreparable harm to people.11 13. That the Court has not heard the case referred to in the request of the Commission as to matter, and therefore, adopting urgent measures does not imply a decision on the matter of the dispute existing between the petitioners and the State12. 14. That Colombia has the obligation to investigate the facts prompting this request of provisional measures, in order to identify the liable parties and to impose on them the corresponding sanctions. 15. That the Court has examined the facts and circumstances that serve as the basis for the Decision of the President of October 9, 2000, which is ratified since it is found to be in conformance to law and the merit of the records. NOW THEREFORE: THE INTER-AMERICAN OF HUMAN RIGHTS, based on Article 63(2) of the American Convention on Human Rights and in use of the attributions conferred upon it by Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, 9 Cf. Case of Digna Ochoa y Plácido et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of November 17, 1999, seventh considering clause; Case of the Constitutional Court, Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of April 7, 2000, ninth considering clause; and Case of the Constitutional Court, Provisional Measures. Decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of August 14, 2000, ninth considering clause. 10 Case of the Constitutional Court, Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights of April 7, 2000, tenth considering clause. 11 Case of the Constitutional Court, Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights of April 7, 2000, eleventh considering clause. 12 Cf.. Case of haitians and dominicans of haitian origin in the Dominican Republic, Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of September 14, 2000, seventh considering clause; Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of June 19, 1999. Series E No. 2, seventh considering clause; Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of May 11, 1999. Series E No. 2, fifth considering clause; Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of August 29, 1998. Series E No. 2,sixth considering clause; Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of July 22, 1998. Series E No .2, sixth considering clause; Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights of July 13, 1998. Series E No. 2, sixth considering clause; Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of June 29, 1998. Series E No. 2, sixth considering clause; and Case of James et al., Provisional Measures. Decision of the President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of May 27, 1998. Series E No. 2, seventh considering clause.