Velásquez Rodríguez v. Honduras: The role of victims’ legal representatives in shaping the Inter-American Court’s evidentiary regime

The landmark case of Velásquez Rodríguez v. Honduras (1988) not only initiated the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights but also established foundational principles of its evidentiary regime. These standards, including the concept of forced disappearances, rules on burden of proof, and use of presumptions and testimonial evidence, continue to shape contemporary caselaw. This paper highlights the overlooked role of the legal representatives of the victims in proposing these evidentiary principles. It comprehensively examines the case, delving into its facts, the Honduran context, the role of legal representatives of the victims, and the impact of Velásquez Rodríguez on the Court’s evidentiary regime and future caselaw. Received: 08 April 2024 Accepted: 15 January 2025