5
evidence that has been offered of may be offered, to order the filing of expert or
other documentary evidence that may be received and, in consultation with the
parties, to set the date of the hearing or hearings on the merits at which evidence
shall be presented, the testimony of witnesses and any experts shall be received,
and at which the final arguments shall be heard.
4.
To instruct the President to arrange with the respective authorities for the
necessary guarantees of immunity and participation of the Agents and other
representatives of the parties, witnesses and experts, and, if necessary, the
delegates of the Court.
27.
In its submission of July 20, 1987, the Commission ratified and supplemented its request
for oral testimony and offered documentary evidence.
28.
On August 27, 1987, the Government filed its Counter-Memorial and documentary
evidence. In its prayer, the Government asked the Court to dismiss "the suit against the State of
Honduras on the grounds that it does not find the allegations to be true and that the domestic
remedies of the State of Honduras have not yet been exhausted."
29.
In his Order of September 1, 1987, the President admitted the testimonial and
documentary evidence offered by the Commission. On September 14, 1987 he also admitted the
documentary evidence offered by the Government.
30.
The Court held hearings on the merits and heard the final arguments of the parties from
September 30 to October 7, 1987.
There appeared before the Court
a)
for the Government of Honduras:
Edgardo Sevilla Idiáquez, Agent
Ramón Pérez Zúñiga, Representative
Juan Arnaldo Hernández, Representative
Enrique Gómez, Representative
Rubén Darío Zepeda, Adviser
Angel Augusto Morales, Adviser
Olmeda Rivera, Adviser
Mario Alberto Fortín, Adviser
Ramón Rufino Mejía, Adviser
b)
for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights:
Gilda M. C. M. de Russomano, President, Delegate
Edmundo Vargas Carreño, Executive Secretary, Delegate
Claudio Grossman, Adviser
Juan Méndez, Adviser
Hugo A. Muñoz, Adviser
José Miguel Vivanco, Adviser
c)
Witnesses presented by the Commission to testify as to "whether between the years 1981
and 1984 (the period in which Saúl Godínez disappeared) there were numerous cases of persons
who were kidnapped and who then disappeared, and whether these actions were imputable to the
Armed Forces of Honduras and enjoyed the acquiescence of the Government of Honduras:"