161.
In this case, as was established in the preceding section, the proceedings instituted in
connection with the disappearance of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez were discriminatory and incompatible with
the minimum standards of due diligence and the guarantee of a reasonable time. In particular, the
Commission noted that the investigation did not include the logical lines of inquiry that emerged from the
information available, some of which could have involved state agents.
162.
In this regard, the Court has reiterated that failure to investigate alleged violations
committed against someone when there are suggestions of involvement of state agents “prevents the State
from presenting a satisfactory and convincing explanation of the [facts] alleged, and disproves the arguments
concerning its responsibility, with adequate probative elements.” 207 The Court has considered such failure to
clarify the facts as a factor to be borne in mind in accrediting alleged violations and the attendant
international and responsibility.208
163.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Commission considers that in this particular case the
negligence with which the investigations have been conducted have created a situation of complete
uncertainty as to what happened to Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez, and the Commission lacks a consistent array of
evidence that is sufficiently specific about the facts in the case to categorize what happened as a forced
disappearance. In particular, although there are elements to suggest that certain actors, including state
agents, may have had a hand in the victim's disappearance, there are no circumstantial elements or other
indicia to show that Ms. Gutiérrez was in state custody at any time.
3.2
The duty to protect the rights to life and humane treatment of Mayra Angelina
Gutiérrez
164.
Article 4(1) of the American Convention on Human Rights provides, “Every person has the
right to have his life respected [and] “[n]o one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life." Article 5(1) of the
American Convention provides, "Every person has the right to have his physical, mental, and moral integrity
respected.”
165.
The Court has established that the rights to life and human treatment are of critical
importance in the Convention. According to Article 27(2) of the said treaty, these rights form part of the nonderogable nucleus because they cannot be suspended in case of war, public danger or other threats to the
independence or security of the States Parties.209 The Court reiterates that states should not merely abstain
from violating rights, but must adopt positive measures to be determined based on the specific needs of
protection of the subject of law, either because of their personal situation or because of the specific
circumstances in which they find themselves.210
[… continuation]
of Kurt v. Turkey. Application No. 15/1997/799/1002. Judgment of 25 May 1998, paras. 124-128; Case of Çakici v. Turkey, Application
no. 23657/94. Judgment of 8 July 1999, paras. 104-106. As regards national tribunals, see, inter alia: Case of Marco Antonio Monasterios
Pérez, Supreme Court of Justice of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, judgment of August 10, 2007; Case of Withdrawal of Immunity of
Pinochet, Supreme Court of Justice of Chile, en banc, judgment of August 8, 2000; Case of Castillo Páez, Constitutional Court of Peru,
judgment of March 18, 2004.
207 I/A Court H.R.,Case of J. v. Peru. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 27, 2013.
Series C No. 275, par. 353.
208 I/A Court H.R.,Case of J. v. Peru. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 27, 2013.
Series C No. 275, par. 354.
209
I/A Court H.R., Case of the Massacre of Pueblo Bello v. Colombia. Judgment of January 31, 2006. Series C No. 140, par. 119.
I/A Court H.R., Case of González et al. F“Cotton Field”) v. Mexico. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs.
Judgment of November 16, 2009. Series C No. 205, par. 243. Cf. Case of Baldeón García v. Peru. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of
April 6, 2006. Series C No. 147, par. 81; Case of the Sawhoyamaxa Indigenous Community v. Paraguay. Merits, Reparations and Costs.
Judgment of March 29, 2006. Series C No. Series C No. 146, para. 154; and Case of the Massacre of Pueblo Bello v. Colombia. Merits,
Reparations and Costs. Judgment of January 31, 2006. Series C No. 140, par. 111.
210
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