6 accordingly (supra, paragraph 2 under “Having Seen”). By its failure to supply information on the investigation of the facts that necessitated adoption of provisional measures –specifically, the threats made against Mr. Santiago Cabrera López’ niecethe State has failed to comply with its obligation to investigate. 11. That the purpose of provisional measures in domestic legal systems (domestic procedural law) in general, is to preserve the rights of the litigant parties, thereby ensuring that execution of the judgment on the merits will not be prejudiced by the litigants’ actions pendente lite. 12. That the purpose of provisional measures under international human rights law is more far-reaching: although they are essentially preventive in nature, they also effectively protect fundamental rights in that they seek to avoid irreparable harm to persons. 13. That Santiago Cabrera has been a witness before this Court and it has been established that there is a danger that warrants the adoption of special measures to guarantee his life and integrity. 14. That a case “of extreme gravity and urgency” persists that justifies extension of the provisional measures adopted on behalf of the persons protected by the measures ordered in the Court’s August 29, 1998 Order (supra, paragraph 2 under Having Seen:). 15. That both the Commission and the State must submit their reports and observations within the time period established for that purpose (infra, operative paragraph 3). NOW, THEREFORE, THE INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, pursuant to the authority conferred by Article 63(2) of the American Convention on Human Rights and Article 25 of the Court’s Rules of Procedure, RESOLVES: 1. To require the State to maintain the provisional measures the Court adopted in its August 29, 1998 Order on behalf of Alfonso Cabrera Viagres, María Victoria López, Blanca Cabrera, Carmelinda Cabrera, Teresa Aguilar Cabrera, Olga Maldonado and Carlos Alfonso Cabrera. 2. To reiterate to the State that it has a duty to investigate the facts in question and to inform the Court of the condition of the persons in question. 3. To require the State of Guatemala that as of the date of notification of this order, it is to file reports on the provisional measures adopted in the instant case every two months, and to require the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to present its observations on those reports within six weeks of receiving them.