On May 16, 1997, Mr. Marco Bienvenido Palma Mendoza was abducted by three men wearing civilian clothing and ski masks. The men intercepted his vehicle while he was driving with his eleven year old son, put him in their truck, and took him to an unknown location. Mr. Palma Mendoza's next of kin filed applications for habeas corpus, but they were ineffective to determine his whereabouts. The State authorities issued orders, but the orders did not achieve results or help prevent Mr. Palma Mendoza's murder. Even though a guilty verdict was delivered against three people as perpetrators of the detention and death of Mr. Palma Mendoza, the Court found deficiencies in the State’s obligation to investigate and the partial impunity that has resulted from the proceedings.
Case Summary: Palma Mendoza v. Ecuador