TABLE OF CONTENTS I INTRODUCTION OF THE CASE AND PURPOSE OF THE DISPUTE 4 II PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT 5 III JURISDICTION 6 IV PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION 7 A. Arguments of the parties and the Commission 7 B. Considerations of the Court 7 V EVIDENCE 7 A. Admissibility of the documentary evidence 7 B. Admissibility of the testimonial and expert evidence 8 VI FACTS 9 A. Applicable legal framework 9 B. Appointments of Carlos Fernández Gadea and Bonifacio Ríos Ávalos as justices of the Supreme Court of Justice 10 C. Impeachment proceedings against Carlos Fernández Gadea and Bonifacio Ríos Ávalos 10 C.1. Events prior to the impeachment of the presumed victims 10 C.2. Procedure before the Chamber of Deputies 11 C.3. Procedure before the Senate 13 C.4. Dismissal of Bonifacio Ríos Ávalos and Carlos Fernández Gadea 14 D. Actions of unconstitutionality filed by the presumed victims 14 D.1. Judgments Nos. 951 and 952 of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice 15 D.2. Resolution No. 1 of the National Congress 16 D.3. Resolution No. 2382 of the Supreme Court of Justice 16 D.4. Appeals for clarification filed in relation to Judgments Nos. 951 and 952 17 E. Criminal proceedings against Bonifacio Ríos Ávalos and Carlos Fernández Gadea 18 VII MERITS 18 VII.1 RIGHT TO JUDICIAL GUARANTEES IN RELATION TO THE OBLIGATIONS TO RESPECT AND TO ENSURE RIGHTS, AND ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF PROTECTION OF HONOR AND DIGNITY, AND EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW 18 A. Arguments of the Commission and of the parties 18 A.1. General considerations on judicial independence and the guarantees applicable to impeachment proceedings 18 A.2. Competence of the disciplinary authority and applicable procedures 19 A.3. The right to an impartial authority 19 A.4. The right to be heard and the right of defense 19 A.5. The right to duly reasoned decisions 20 A.6. The right to appeal the judgment 20 A.7. The principle of legality 20 A.8. Protection of honor and dignity 21 A.9. Right to equal protection of the law 21 2