4 measures within the framework of the Follow-up Committee set up for the purpose and in compliance with the measures stipulated by the President of the Honorable Court." It announced that it would refer to the Commission's comments on its first report at the public hearing convened by the Court. 13. The communication of November 3, 1997, from the Commission, through which it submitted the names of the persons who would represent it at the public hearing and presented the testimony of Mr. José Daniel Álvarez and Ms. Nidia Linores Ascanio. 14. The public hearing held on November 8, 1997, at which there appeared: for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: Robert Goldman, delegate; Denise Gilman, attorney; Gustavo Gallón, assistant; Luz Marina Munzón, assistant; Viviana Krsticevic, assistant; and José Daniel Álvarez, witness; for the State of Colombia: Marcela Briceño-Donn; and Ambassador Jorge Michelsen-Rueda. CONSIDERING: 1. That Colombia is a State Party to the American Convention, Article 1(1) of which stipulates the duty of States Parties to respect the rights and freedoms recognized therein and to ensure to all persons subject to their jurisdiction the free and full exercise of those rights and freedoms, and that the State recognized the jurisdiction of this Court on June 21, 1985, in accordance with Article 62 of the Convention. 2. That Article 63(2) of the Convention provides that: [i]n cases of extreme gravity and urgency, and when necessary to avoid irreparable damage to persons, the Court shall adopt such provisional measures as it deems pertinent in matters it has under consideration. With respect to a case not yet submitted to the Court, it may act at the request of the Commission. 3. That the Court has examined the events and circumstances that formed the basis of the Orders of the President of June 22 and August 14, 1997, which it upholds, deeming them to be in keeping with the law and the merit of the proceedings. 4. That Colombia has taken a series of measures to protect José Daniel Álvarez, Nidia Linores Ascanio, Gladys López, Yanette Bautista, María Helena Saldarriaga, Piedad Martín, María Eugenia López, Adriana Diosa, Astrid Manrique, Faride Ascanio, Carmen Barrera, Evidalia Chacón, José Publio Bautista, Nelly María Ascanio, Ayda Mile Ascanio, Miriam Rosas Ascanio, Erik Antonio Arellano-Bautista, and Javier Álvarez. 5. That examination of the arguments adduced by the Commission and by Colombia shows the State's good faith and efforts to satisfy the petitioners' needs in compliance with the Urgent Measures ordered by the President, which the Court recognizes. The above