the section on merits whether the provisions of the Inter-American Convention on Forced Disappearance of Persons are applicable. V. ANALYSIS OF MERITS A. Established Facts 1. Context 35. Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernandez was born in Guatemala City on January 23, 1958.3 Her family comprises her daughter Ángela María del Carmen Argüello Gutiérrez; her sisters Ángela and Nilda Gutiérrez; and her brother Armando Gutiérrez. 36. Ms. Gutiérrez earned a psychology degree from San Carlos University in Guatemala in 1984.4 Later, she studied sociology and attended a variety of specialization courses in human rights at the same university.5 37. According to her sister and daughter, Ms. Gutiérrez had been a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) since 1977.6 They said that she withdrew partially in 1982 after she became pregnant, and entirely from 1985 to 1986.7 38. From 1980 until her disappearance on April 7, 2000, Ms. Gutiérrez worked at San Carlos University in Guatemala, first as a lecturer's assistant and then as a lecturer.8 She was also a researcher on the University's Superior Council.9 In addition, from June 1997 until her disappearance, she lectured on Saturdays at Mariano Gálvez University, which is located in the Department of Huehuetenango.10 39. According to an Amnesty International press relase, Mayra Gutiérrez had been a very active member of the Women's Commission at San Carlos University (USAC), where she collaborated with several organizations and did research on women's issues.11 She was also instrumental in helping found a gender studies program at the University and has attended may important women’s conferences abroad on the subject of gender violence and discrimination.12 The coordinator of the Education Research Section at San 3 18, 2006. Annex 14. Civil records of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernandez. Enclosed with the petitioners' communication of December 4 Annex 2. Curriculum Vitae of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernandez. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 5 Annex 2. Curriculum Vitae of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernandez. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 6 Annex 3. Communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 7 Annex 3. Communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 8 Annex 4. Certification from San Carlos University, Guatemala. Enclosed with the petitioners' communication received by the IACHR on December 13, 2006. 9 Annex 3. Communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 10 Annex 2. Curriculum Vitae of Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez Hernandez. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 11 Annex 5. Amnesty International press release, Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez, May 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 12 Annex 5. Amnesty International press release, Mayra Angelina Gutiérrez, May 31, 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000; Annex 6. Communication from the Women's Commission, San Carlos University, Guatemala, May 2000. Enclosed with the petitioners' brief received by the IACHR on October 30, 2000. 6