On January 26, 1989, Gerardo Vargas Areco, a fifteen year old minor, was recruited into military service in the Paraguayan Armed Forces. On December 30, 1989, Vargas Areco was arrested after failing to voluntarily and timely return to his military post. Vargas Areco appeared at the military's infirmary for treatment of a minor injury. After being treated, he fled the grounds to evade the punishment imposed upon him for failing to return. While fleeing, a non-commissioned officer shot Vargas Areco to death. The body of the dead child was found the following day 100 meters away from the military post's infirmary. The Court found that the State violated the American Convention on Human Rights and the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture to the detriment of the victim.
Case Summary: Vargas Areco v. Paraguay, Case Summary