27. They report that they also sought relief before the Supreme Court of Justice but only received a March 6, 2008 communication from the President of the Court stating that he does not have the authority to intervene in proceedings underway in other courts of the Republic, and that the filing of appeals is the appropriate way to complain against judicial decisions that the parties consider unfavorable to their interests. The petitioners maintain that they attempted to reach other national authorities, including presidents of the Republic and ministers of health. 29. The petitioners state that the entire family depended upon the alleged victim for a living, especially one of his children, who suffers from a physical disability.6 They say that the State was indifferent to their repeated requests for help from the Government to maintain the alleged victim’s disabled son, and that they have suffered from hunger and need. In July 2005 they reported to the Commission that Mr. Vinicio Poblete Tapia, son of the alleged victim, and petitioner in the instant case, was diagnosed with renal cancer. They claim that they have been forced to beg in order to buy medicine and food and that they were even forced to sell essential belongings, including a wheelchair, leaving their brother confined to a bed. They further claim that they have not been able to hire a lawyer in their state of indigence, and as proof they have attached reports of a social worker and a priest. They say that the legal aid they have received has been free of charge. 29. The petitioners claim to have the victims of humiliation on the part of judicial and hospital authorities, because they are “humble people.” In particular, they have reported to the Commission that they received threats from the personnel of the court and were constantly harassed in their struggle for justice, to the point that they fear to seek relief in the court. 30. The petitioners informed the Commission that they had received an apology from the director of the Servicio de Salud Metropolitano Sur Oriente [Southeastern Metropolitan Health Services), Dr. Pedro Yáñez Alvarado, under which the Sótero del Río Hospital operates, but they claim that justice has not been served in their country. They request that the Government of Chile be held responsible “for the lack of interest in investigating the homicide of an impoverished Chilean.” 6 The petitioners have attached documentation indicating that Gonzalo Poblete Tapia, born on January 10, 1976, has brain damage and is physically an invalid as a result of a chronic ailment of his spine, which has deformed his body. In addition, Gonzalo Poblete does not master verbal or written language, his limitations prevent him from communicating and from mobility, he has no sphincter control and has no schooling because of his state of health. 8