Case 11.654 (Riofrío Massacre, Colombia)

In May 1996, families of massacre victims (collectively, the families) (plaintiffs) filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the commission) against the Republic of Colombia (the state) (defendant), alleging that the state carried out extrajudicial executions of 13 Colombian citizens in October 1993. The families argued that the Colombian military played a role in the execution and subsequent cover-up, and the state therefore violated Articles IV, V, VII, and VIII of the American Convention on Human Rights (the convention). The families alleged that the Third Army Brigade simulated an armed engagement with occupants in a house, who were already killed at that point, by firing several rounds of bullets and using explosives. These allegations were corroborated by an eyewitness. According to the eyewitness, neighbors heard screams and blows to the victims before their deaths. The families further alleged that immediately after the simulated engagement, the Third Army Brigade changed the crime scene by moving bodies and putting firearms next to the victims. The commander of the Third Army Brigade released a media statement, which the families alleged confirmed the state’s intention to cover up the acts. Most of the accused soldiers were acquitted of all charges by the Military Criminal Pretrial Court. The state did not challenge the allegations and argued that the Defense of Human Rights already initiated disciplinary proceedings against members of the Third Army Brigade.