4 11. It is necessary to proceed resolutely in this direction. It is imperative, in these days, that the next step be the development of their legal framework, and, within such framework, of the legal consequences of non-compliance with or violation of Provisional Measures of Protection, provided with autonomy. In my view, the victims occupy, both in this context of prevention as well as in the decision on the merits (and possible reparations) of the cases, a truly central position, as subjects of International Human Rights Law and contemporary Public International Law with international legal standing. Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade Judge Pablo Saavedra-Alessandri Secretary