7
24.
That the Court notes that the State has not adequately informed on this reparation
measure. Likewise, it has not submitted information on the steps taken in order to provide
treatment to Gerardo Vargas-Areco’s siblings. In this regard, the Court notes that, in
accordance with paragraphs 159 and 160 of the Judgment, together with paragraph 71(28)
thereof, the beneficiaries of this reparation measure are Gerardo Vargas-Areco’s parents
and siblings. Therefore, the Court deems it of the utmost importance that this reparation
measure starts being effectively and fully complied with in relation to all its beneficiaries, if
they so require, and requests the State to provide updated information thereon.
*
*
*
25.
That regarding the obligation to design and implement training programs and regular
courses on human rights for all members of the Paraguayan Armed Forces (twelfth
operative paragraph of the Judgment), the State informed on the adoption of the following
four measures: 1) the approval by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces by means
of General Order 237 of December 4, 2002 of the “Standard Teaching Program on Human
Rights and International Humanitarian Law” at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels;
2) the approval by means of General Order No. 112 of June 28, 2007, of the “Manual of
Humanitarian Rules, Human Rights, and International Humanitarian Law in the Armed
Forces,” to be distributed among the Staff of the Armed Forces; 3) the distribution of 1,930
copies of the didactic material entitled “Soldier’s Guide – Enforcement of Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law Basic Rules,” which describes the procedures to be followed
in case of violations of human rights and lists the institutions where they should be
reported, their addresses, and contact numbers,” and 4) the report drawn by the National
Defense Ministry entitled “Training Program Military Rating Period 1st Stage Year-2008.”
26.
That the representatives pointed out that “there is no proof that the “Soldier’s Guide”
has been distributed among conscripts, nor that it has been effectively used by soldiers who
were abused or mistreated in military units.” Additionally, the representatives pointed out
that the various documents submitted regarding compliance with this measure “are not
sufficient to show full compliance therewith.” The representatives insisted that it is
necessary that the State “ [r]eport effectively on the programs and course[s concerned].”
They further argued that the report submitted by the State and drawn by the National
Defense Ministry states “regarding the training given exclusively to Army members,” which,
however, was ordered by the Inter-American Court to be given to all services of the Armed
Forces.” Furthermore, the representatives stated that “[t]he information is exclusively
related to the training given ‘to conscripts recently enlisted in the Troops of the General
Headquarters of the FCEME in their first 17 weeks,’” whereby “no information was
submit[ted] about training given in this topic to permanent cadres and Army officers, nor
about subsequent training in human rights, if any, given to conscripts.” Furthermore, they
argued that “[n]o information was submit[ted] on the academic qualifications of those who
give courses on human rights or on the general requirements to give such courses.” Finally,
the representatives pointed out that “the State has not informed the Court on any aspects
regarding the design of the training programs” ordered by the Judgment, nor on their
objectives, methodology, assessment criteria, the staff to whom they were addressed, or
their suitability to the specific requirements of the various services of the Armed Forces
“both for the permanent cadres and conscripts.”
27.
That the Commission “appreciat[ed] the information submitted by the State and
expects that it may continue informing the Court on the measures adopted to comply with
this obligation.” Furthermore, it pointed out that the report drawn by the National Defense