Morales, after the death of Mr. Archila Pérez, she learned that "they had him in a punishment cell
better known as 'Bartolina'" and that in that cell "he did not know dawn or dusk, they had him
handcuffed by one hand, he went 40 days without food, water, or medicine, which led to depression
and aggravated his state of health, in addition to being without communication with the other
inmates. She also indicated that he was not given adequate medicine for his diabetes.106 The
foregoing was also endorsed by Mr. Rodríguez Revolorio at the public hearing held before this Court,
where she indicated that Mr. Archila Pérez "died 40 days after arriving at the Infiernito, he became
depressed, he became ill with diabetes and was never given the proper medicine for the illness he
had".107 Mr. Archila Pérez died on July 16, 1999 as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis,108 that is, an
acute complication of diabetes.
(iv) Conclusions
86.
The Court observes, first of all, that it had the opportunity to analyze the physical conditions
of the "El Infiernito" prison during the period in which Mr. Rodríguez Revolorio and Mr. López Calo
were also detained109 in the case of Fermín Ramírez v. Guatemala, where it observed the following:
"The High Security Prison in Escuintla presents poor hygiene conditions and lacks water and
ventilation, especially during the summer.73 The sector in which Mr. Fermín Ramírez is located
is of approximately 20 meters by 6 and 8 meters and has 40 cement beds. In the sector there
are close to 40 prisoners, some of them facing the death penalty and others face sentences of
30 to 50 years in prison. There are no adequate educational or sports programs. Medical and
psychological assistance is deficient”.110
87.
The Court further notes that Mr. Fermín Ramírez had been subjected to "grave prison
conditions," which were part of a general context of serious prison deficiencies, as noted by
international organizations.111 For all of the above reasons, the Court considered that the State
violated Articles 5(1) and 5(2) of the Convention, in relation to Article 1(1) of the Convention.112
88.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Court also considers that from the body of evidence
in the instant case, it can also be concluded that the "El Infiernito" prison where Mr. Rodríguez
Revolorio, Mr. López Calo and Mr. Archila Pérez were held did indeed have deficient physical and
sanitary conditions that in no way met international standards.113 In this sense, the Court has
him nor did I believe he was sick, that is why I wanted to see him and I did not want them to kill him in
there [...]" (Statement rendered before a notary public by Irma Morales Moratava de Archilla, of March 1,
2019, evidence file, folio 2438).
106
Cf. Statement rendered before a notary public by Irma Morales Moratava de Archilla, of March 1, 2019 (evidence file,
folio 2439).
107
Cf. Testimony of Miguel Ángel Rodríguez Revolorio given at the public hearing before the Inter-American Court held
on March 8, 2019.
108
Death certificate of Aníbal Archila Pérez issued by the Civil Registry of the Municipality of Escuintla, death no. 6468
(evidence file, folio 1329).
109
Cf. Case of Fermín Ramírez v. Guatemala, supra, para. 54.55.
110
Cf. Case of Fermín Ramírez v. Guatemala, supra, para. 54.57.
111
See also, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Fifth Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Guatemala,
April 6, 2001, Chapter VIII; and MINUGUA, Verification Report, The Prison Situation in Guatemala, April 2000.
112
Cf. Case of Fermín Ramírez v. Guatemala, supra, para. 119.
113
The Inter-American Court in numerous decisions has used the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the
Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) to interpret the content of the right of persons deprived of their liberty to humane
and dignified treatment. These prescribe the basic standards for the accommodation, hygiene, medical treatment and exercise
of prisoners deprived of their liberty. Cf. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, adopted by
the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in Geneva in 1995, and
approved by the Economic and Social Council in its resolutions 663C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXVII) of 13 May 1977,
inter alia:
"10. All accommodation provided for the use of prisoners and in particular all sleeping accommodation shall
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