On the morning of July 22, 1982, Saúl Godínez, a teacher's group leader, disappered. While there was no evidence that the disapperence was tied to government agents, various other instances of disappeared persons followed a similar pattern, in the same era, known to be underaken by the Honduran military personnel. The State's only attempt to explain the disapperance was to suggest that Mr. Godínez had gone to Cuba or had joined subversive groups. The Court found tha the State violated the American Convention on Human Rights. This case is notable in that it is one of the first where the Court discussed obligations States have under Article 1.1 of the Convention, and how States should pay compensations.
Case Summary: Godínez Cruz v. Honduras, Case Summary