but “the identity of the persons responsible has not been determined 93 (capitals in
the original text).
The circumstances of the death of Tirso Román Valenzuela Ávila are still being investigated at
the domestic level.
VIII
MERITS
104. This case deals with the alleged international responsibility of the State for the
imposition of the death penalty based on a criminal category that provided for dangerousness
as a typical element, as well as for the alleged torture, acts of violence and violations of due
process committed in the context of the criminal proceedings against Tirso Román Valenzuela
Ávila. Said process culminated in the death sentence for Mr. Valenzuela. In addition, regarding
the alleged extrajudicial execution of Mr. Valenzuela after his last escape from the “El
Infiernito” prison, the possible international responsibility of the State for the violations of the
right to life and judicial guarantees due to the lack of investigation, prosecution, where
appropriate, the punishment of those possibly responsible, since the investigation is still
ongoing. This Court then proceeds to consider and resolve the merits of the dispute. To do
this, it will analyze: (1) the alleged violation of the right to a fair trial and judicial protection;
(2) the imposition of the death sentence on Mr. Valenzuela Ávila; (3) the death of Mr.
Valenzuela Ávila; (4) the alleged torture, sexual abuse and mistreatment suffered by Mr.
Valenzuela Ávila, during his detention and while he was detained, as well as the cruel, inhuman
and degrading treatment suffered for having been subjected to “death row”, and (5) the
alleged violation of the right to personal liberty.
VIII-1
RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL AND JUDICIAL PROTECTION94
A. Arguments of the Commission and the parties
105. The Commission concluded that within the criminal proceedings against Mr.
Valenzuela culminating in a death sentence, the principle of presumption of innocence was
violated and due process guarantees were not observed for instances where Article 132 of the
Penal Code was applied according to the element of social dangerousness. Additionally, it
argued that his statement was obtained through physical and psychological torture, insofar as
the right not to be forced to testify against himself and not to be coerced to confess was
violated, for which it was concluded that the State violated articles 8(2)(g) and 8(3) of the
Convention. Similarly, it argued that it was not possible for Mr. Valenzuela to appeal the
conviction, since, in accordance with the standards of the Convention, he did not have an
effective remedy, neither appeal nor cassation, to challenge the death sentence, therefore
constituting a violation of Article 8(2)(h) of the Convention. Finally, it argued that the State
did not initiate an investigation into the acts of torture, which violated the right to a fair trial
and judicial protection, established in Articles 8(1) and 25(1) of the Convention.
106. The representatives reiterated the Commission's allegations and indicated that the
State is internationally responsible for the violation of the rights to a fair trial and effective
judicial protection contained in Articles 8(1), 8(2)(c), (d), (e), (g) and (h), and 25(1) of the
Convention, in relation to articles 1(1) and 2 of the same instrument, to the detriment of Mr.
Official Letter of the Special Prosecutor against Impunity of December 12, 2018 (file of annexes to the Answering
brief, annex 5, fs. 13050 to 13052).
94
Articles 8 and 25 of the American Convention.
93
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