5
been forwarded by the State and which had not been remitted, according to the list
of documents included in paragraph 68 of the application.
22.
On May 28, 2002, the State submitted documents corresponding to the
documentary evidence requested on the instructions of the President, and described
in paragraph 68 of the application (supra para. 19).
23.
On June 12, 2002, the Court delivered judgment on the preliminary objection
filed by Colombia, in which it decided unanimously, in the single operative
paragraph, “to dismiss the preliminary objection raised by the State of Colombia and
to continue hearing the […] case.”
24.
On November 29, 2002, on the instructions of the Court and based on Articles
31, 44 and 56 of its Rules of Procedure and on the principle of procedural economy,
the Secretariat asked the Inter-American Commission to present its arguments and
evidence on possible reparations and costs in this case by January 20, 2003, at the
latest, and indicated that the State would subsequently be granted the same time
limit to present its comments and evidence on the said matter. Also, since this case
was being processed under the Rules of Procedure adopted in the Order of the Court
of September 16, 1996, the Court requested the Commission to advise the
representatives of the alleged victims and their next of kin that, if they wished to
present arguments and evidence on possible reparations and costs, they should do
so through the Inter-American Commission.
25.
On March 25, 2003, the Commission presented its arguments and evidence
on possible reparations and costs, after having requested two extensions, which
were granted by the President. The attachments to this brief were received on
March 31, 2003. The Commission also requested the Court to accept statements
sworn before a public notary or judicial official of twelve next of kin of the alleged
victims.
26.
On March 26, 2003, on the instructions of the President, the Secretariat
advised that Colombia had been granted until May 26, 2003, to submit its comments
and evidence on possible reparations and costs.
27.
On April 2, 2003, on the instructions of the President, the Secretariat advised
that the State had been given until April 9, 2003, to submit its comments on the
Commission’s request – in the brief with arguments on possible reparations and
costs (supra para. 25) – that the statements sworn before a public notary or judicial
official of twelve next of kin of the alleged victims be accepted.
28.
On April 21, 2003, the State forwarded a brief presenting its comments on
the Commission’s abovementioned request concerning evidence, after having
requested an extension of the time limit, which was granted by the President (supra
paras. 25 and 27). Colombia indicated that it did not object to the statements sworn
before a public notary or a judicial official of twelve next of kin of the alleged victims
being received “provided that [it] was ensured the right to an adversary proceeding.”
29.
On April 22, 2003, the President of the Court issued an Order in which he
decided to admit the sworn written statements of twelve next of kin of the alleged
victims as proposed by the Inter-American Commission, and requested that the
statements should be made in writing under oath before a public notary or a judicial
official. The President requested the Inter-American Commission to coordinate and