INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
CASE OF UZCÁTEGUI ET AL. v. VENEZUELA
Table of Contents
I. PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE ........................................................................... 4
II. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT ............................................................ 5
III. JURISDICTION .......................................................................................... 7
IV. EVIDENCE .................................................................................................. 7
A. - Documentary, testimonial and expert evidence ............................................. 8
B. - Admission of documentary evidence ............................................................ 8
C. - Admission of the Statements of the alleged victims and of the testimonial and
expert evidence .............................................................................................. 9
D. - Assessment of the file on Provisional Measures ............................................. 9
V. FACTS ........................................................................................................ 10
A. - Context .................................................................................................. 10
B. - The death of Néstor José Uzcátegui ........................................................... 13
B.1.
Undisputed facts .................................................................................................................. 13
B.2.
Disputed facts ...................................................................................................................... 13
C. - The investigation into the death of Néstor José Uzcátegui ............................ 15
D. - The arrest of Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui ......................................... 22
E. - Alleged threats and harassment against Luis Enrique Uzcátegui .................... 22
F. - Investigations into the alleged threats, harassment and arrests to the detriment
of Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui ............................................................... 25
G. - Criminal proceeding for slander against Luis Enrique Uzcátegui ..................... 30
VI. MERITS .................................................................................................... 31
VI.1 DEPRIVATION OF THE LIFE OF NÉSTOR JOSÉ UZCÁTEGUI ....................... 31
(RIGHT TO LIFE) ............................................................................................ 31
A. - Arguments ............................................................................................. 31
B. - Considerations of the Court ...................................................................... 31
VI.2 THE ARREST OF LUIS AND CARLOS UZCÁTEGUI ON JANUARY 1, 2001. .... 36
(RIGHTS TO PERSONAL LIBERTY AND RIGHTS OF THE CHILD) ....................... 36
A. - Arguments ............................................................................................. 36
B. - Considerations of the Court ...................................................................... 37
VI.3 RIGHT TO HUMANE TREATMENT [PERSONAL INTEGRITY] AND FREEDOM
OF EXPRESSION ........................................................................................... 40
A. - Arguments. ............................................................................................ 41
A.1.
Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] of Néstor José
Uzcátegui 41
A.2.
Alleged violation of the right to humane treatment [personal integrity] for the treatment of
Luis and Carlos Eduardo Uzcátegui when they were arrested ............................................................... 41
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