ALERT: Attacks and intimidation against participants and international observers at the International Meeting "Berta Cáceres Lives".



The undersigned organizations, express our deep concern about the serious incidents that

occurred on Friday, April 15 in the town of San Francisco de Ojuera -Department of Santa

Barbara where a dozen people were injured.

On Friday April 15, 2016, approximately 400 people, members of Honduran and international

human rights organisations, social movements and the media, travelled to the Gualcarque River as

part of a caravan to commemorate the murder of Berta Cáceres, the international meeting was

known as "Berta Cáceres lives". The signatory organisations were present at the meeting and

observed patterns of attacks against international and national organisations that are replicated in

other regions of the country and have originated from deep social conflict.1



Below we describe the events witnessed:

- Around 2 pm, the peaceful caravan arrived at the community of San Ramon, municipality of

San Francisco de Ojuera. Participants at the front of the commemorative march were

confronted by a group of about 30 people who expressed their support for the Agua Zarca

hydroelectric project implemented by the company Desarrollo Energéticos S.A. (DESA). They

carried placards with inscriptions supporting the hydroelectric project and against the Civic

Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), brandishing

machetes and issuing serious threats against COPINH and other participants in the

international meeting. Despite the significant presence of police and army along the entire

route of the international caravan, there were just six police officers positioned in front of the

group."

- The caravan continued its journey to the banks of the River Gualcarque where a spiritual

ceremony was held in memory of Berta Cáceres.

- At approximately 5 pm, the caravan ended and a few metres before reaching the buses for

their return transport, the same group of people appeared; shouting, insulting, threatening and

wielding their machetes. Unexpectedly these people started throwing stones at people who

were walking towards the buses. This created panic as people had to run several metres to

protect themselves. As a result of this incident, a dozen people in the caravan were wounded

after being hit by stones, and at least two people were beaten by the group of people. The

attackers also issued death threats to members of COPINH, particularly its new general

coordinator Tomas Gomez. Amongst the people who were assaulted and injured were people

who are beneficiaries of precautionary measures, including several members of the general

coordination of COPINH.2

- Faced with the violence that broke out, the National Police did not react immediately, only

intervening after several people in the caravan insistently requested it. We are concerned that

the Honduran authorities did not ensure the safety of those present and did not take

immediate action against the attacks.

1 Two days after these incidents, 17 April 2016, the Canada-Honduras Delegation for Justice, Land and Life went to the opencast gold

mine San Andres in La Union, Copan. As the Canadian delegation approached the city of Azacualpa, a group of about 180 mine

workers - some armed with machetes, sticks and stones - blocked the street. The delegation reported that the police were present but

initially failed to act. The delegation was later notified that they could travel safely to the community and the police managed to disperse

the crowd. Mining Watch and other NGOs from the delegation, however, have expressed serious concern about this kind of intimidation.

2 Members of the coordination of COPINH are beneficiaries of IACHR precautionary measures 112-16 of 03.05.2016.

These events have occurred in the context of repeated complaints against the DESA company.

These complaints hold the company responsible for the murder of Berta Cáceres as well as for

multiple threats and attacks against members of communities and COPINH because of their

opposition to the Agua Zarca dam. In light of these developments, we express our serious concern

about the situation of extreme vulnerability for organisations, communities and human rights

defenders in Honduras, and in particular members of COPINH. The organisations below reiterate

our support to requests from Berta Cáceres’ family and members of COPINH, urging the Honduran

government to sign an agreement with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR),

creating a committee of independent experts to investigate the murder of Berta Cáceres and other

cases of human rights defenders who have been killed in Honduras, despite having been granted

precautionary measures from the IACHR.

In this context characterised by the closure of spaces for human rights defenders, we are also

concerned that situations like the one above make difficult international accompaniment and

observation to help protect spaces for non-violent conflict resolution and the promotion and

defence of human rights in Honduras. The work of international accompaniers and observers in the

country responds to requests from organisations and civil society who have the right to defend their

rights, and to seek support and international observation when faced with threats and attacks.

Taking into account the views expressed above and the responsibility of States to ensure

the protection, respect and fulfilment of international human rights law, we call upon the

international community to undertake the following actions to put a stop to and prevent this

escalation of violence against the defence of human rights:

• Issue a statement to the President of the Republic, Commissioner for Human Rights and the

Ministry of Justice, Interior and Human Rights:

◦ Expressing appreciation and support for the work of national and international

organisations participating in the caravan on 15 April.

◦ Showing concern at the situation described above and the lack of immediate reaction by

the authorities present to the reported violence.

◦ Reminding the Honduran State of its obligation to protect human rights defenders, and

emphasising the importance of the work they carry out in Honduras. It is also important to

highlight the importance of the work carried out by international observers and

accompaniment organisations when their presence is requested due to threats and attacks.

• In particular, we call on the Diplomatic Corps and Ministries of Foreign Affairs and / or Aid

Agencies to ask for the competent institutions to clarify the events reported, urging a prompt,

impartial and thorough investigation into the attacks and threats made by the aggressors and into

the actions of the national police.

• Express publicly, through the appropriate channels, support for the work of human rights

defenders in Honduras and their right to receive support from international organisations and other

organisations.

“Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings; their protection

and promotion is the first responsibility of governments”3

3 Adopted by the UN World Conference on Human Rights (157/93)

Organizations:

- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for the

Protection of Human Rights Defenders

- Front Line Defenders

- Honduras Solidarity Network in North America (Honduras Solidarity Network in North America)

- Hondurasdelegation (Germany / Austria)

- Ecumenical Office for Peace and Justice (Germany)

- World Organisation against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for the

Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

- Peace Brigades International (PBI Honduras)

- The International Platform against Impunity (Plataforma Internacional contra la Impunidad.)

- PROAH (Proyecto de Acompañamiento internacional en Honduras)

- Protection International

- Witness for Peace (Acción Permanente por la Paz)

Entradas populares