nature that any person whose human rights are violated experiences suffering. 282 However,
such suffering need not necessarily be repaired with money. Depending on the specific case,
adequate reparation may simply be the issuing of a Sentence in which the State is convicted
by this Court. 283
260.
The victims in this case described in different ways how the dismissal allegedly
affected them. For example, Mr. Albán Gómez stated that “[t]he numerous expressions of
support [he] subsequently received at least served to mitigate the harsh negative effects
that the dismissal had on [his] reputation, especially as a university professor[, and that]
the dismissal seriously affected [his] family, also a victim of the abuse suffered.” 284
Similarly, Mr. Bermeo Castillo stated that “the moral damage [he] suffered was the result of
the abuse and mistreatment occasioned by the […] National Congress[, which caused [him]
uncertainty, shame, fear, insecurity, low spirits, and undermined [his] self-esteem,
situations which he has been unable to overcome completely, even with the passing of the
years.” 285 Mr. Brito Mieles explained that “[s]ince then, because of the severe emotional
impact and moral damage experience[d] because of that unexpected and unlawful
dismissal, [his] health deteriorated to the point [where he] suffered cardiac problems and
serious gastrointestinal disorders, depression, insomnia and a decrease in [his] professional
activities with a lack of sufficient income and progressive loss of work need to cover the
high costs of [his] medical treatment, [his] subsistence and that of his family.” 286 Mr. Castro
Patiño explained that he was “diagnosed with an articular blockage of the lumbo-sacral […]
and cervical-thoracic joints [, his] blood pressure was affected […he] ma[de] several visits
to doctors specializing in neurology, general clinical medicine and cardiology to counteract
or overcome any problems related to [his] health and caused by the stress experienced,
especially in December 2004 and a few months afterwards.” 287 Mr. Quevedo Terán
explained that “[t]he dismissal from office was completely unexpected; it not only caused
financial instability, but also emotional and psychological impact because of the enormous
worry of having lost [his] job and the monthly income that was indispensable to cover [his]
family expenses, which not only impacted [him], but undoubtedly affected [his] wife and
children.” 288 Likewise, Mr. Riofrío Corral stated that “[t]he news […] embarrassed [him] and
[he had] never felt more ashamed or humiliated [and] f[ell] into a depressive state which
lasted a long time […] with psychological symptoms typical of severe depression, such as:
anguish, anxiety, sadness, despair, feelings of worthlessness and mistrust, isolation,
irritability and other psychological disorders, as well as physical effects such as insomnia,
tiredness and diminished levels of activity.” 289 Mr. Serrano Puig stated that the preceding
events and the “dismissal, caused [him] anguish, anxiety, insomnia, […] for a long time
282
Cf. Case of Reverón Trujillo v. Venezuela, para. 176, and Case of the Massacres of El Mozote and nearby
areas v. El Salvador. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of October 25, 2012. Series C No. 252, para. 383.
283
Cf. Case of Fermín Ramírez v. Guatemala. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment June 20, 2005. Series
C No. 126, para. 130, and Case of Reverón Trujillo v. Venezuela, para. 176.
284
Affidavit rendered by Alfonso Ernesto Alban Gómez (File of attachments to the brief of pleadings and
motions, volume I, page 2360).
285
Affidavit rendered by Armando Bermeo Castillo (File of attachments to the brief of pleadings and motions,
volume I, page 2372).
286
Affidavit rendered by Eduardo Enrique Brito Mieles (File of attachments to the brief of pleadings and
motions, volume I, page 2403).
287
Affidavit rendered by Nicolas Castro Patiño (File of attachments to the brief of pleadings and motions,
volume I, page 2422).
288
Affidavit rendered by Hernán Gonzalo Quevedo Terán (File of attachments to the brief of pleadings and
motions, volume I, page 2626).
289
Affidavit rendered by Carlos Javier Riofrío Corral (File of attachments to the brief of pleadings and motions,
volume I, page 2662).
74