TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE I. INTRODUCTION TO THE CASE AND PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE …………………... 4 II. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT ……………………………………………………..... 5 III. JURISDICTION …………………………………………………………………………………… 6 IV. A. B. EVIDENCE …………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Documentary, testimonial and expert evidence ……………………………………………………… 6 Admission of the evidence ……………………………………………………………………………………… 7 V. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY BY THE STATE AND ENDORSEMENT OF THE FRIENDLY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ………….. 8 The friendly settlement agreement ………………………………………………………………………… 8 A. B. Considerations of the Court ……………………………………………...................………………… 9 VI. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. CONTEXT OF THE FACTS OF THE CASE ………………………………………………… 10 The prison system in Honduras ……………………………………………………………………………… 10 General conditions in the San Pedro Sula Prison …………………………………………………… 11 Specific conditions of Cell No. 19 …………………..………………………………………………………. 13 The fire in Cell No. 19 ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 14 Causes of the fire …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 Situation of the next of kin of the victims ……………………………………………………………… 16 Judicial proceedings before the domestic courts …………………….……………………………… 16 VII. CONSIDERATIONS OF THE COURT, ARTICULES 4 AND 5 IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 1(1) OF THE AMERICAN CONVENTION ……………………………… 17 • The rights violated ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17 • Obligation of prevention with regard to prison conditions …………………………………… 19 • The next of kin of those who died ………………………………………………………………………… 22 VIII. REPARATIONS (Application of Article 63(1) of the American Convention under the friendly settlement agreement) …………………………………………. 23 Injured party …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24 Beneficiaries of the friendly settlement agreement ……………………………………………… 25 Measures of integral reparation: guarantees of non-repetition, rehabilitation and satisfaction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 26 1. Guarantees of non repetition …………………………………………………………………………… 26 2. Rehabilitation …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33 3. Satisfaction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34 D. Obligation to investigate the facts that gave rise to the violations and to identify, prosecute and, as appropriate, punish those responsible …………………………………………… 35 E. Compensation and opportunities fund …………………………………………………………………… 36 1. Pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage ……………………………………………………………… 36 F. Method of complying with the payments ordered ………………………………………………… 37 IX. OPERATIVE PARAGRAPHS ……………………………………………………………..… 39 A. B. C. Separate Opinion of Judge Eduardo Vio Grossi 2