(iii) the demonstrations in question
were organised in conjunction with other
organisations in a forum called "Group of mass organizations and political parties", and
did not therefore constitute actions specific and peculiar to MBOHP;
(iv)the said demonstrations had always been directed against impunity in general and
not solely in favour of the "Norbert Zongo" case;
(v) the MBDHP did not present any document attesting to the costs that it claimed to have
incurred to hold demonstrations, and did not even indicate when the said demonstrations
took place.
Consequently, the Respondent State prayed the Court, on grounds of the aforesaid, to
throw out MBDHP's request for reimbursement of the said costs as "fake and groundless."
71 . The Court recalls that the Burkinabe Movement on Human and Peoples' Rights is, as
the name indicates, a human and peoples' rights advocacy organisation in Burkina Faso.
It is therefore evident that the organization of human rights advocacy demonstrations in
that country, including for the rights of the beneficiaries of Norbert Zongo and his
companions, falls within its mandate and the ambit of its normal activities.
72. For this reason , the Court is of the opinion that there is no basis to grant the claim for
reimbursement of the costs incurred by MBDHP in organising human rights advocacy
demonstrations, including those in favour of the Applicants in the instant case.
VI. EXPENDITURE AND COSTS INCURRED BY THE BENEFICIARIES
73. Under this heading , the Applicants are asking the Respondent State to reimburse not
only lawyers' fees but also the expenses incurred for transport to the Seat of the Court.
A) Lawyers' fees
74. In their Brief on Reparations, the Applicants submit
that reimbursement of the
expenses incurred at both the national and international levels in the quest for justice is
one of the appropriate measures prescribed by Article 27(2) of the Protocol establishing
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