Joint statement on Honduras

4 Nov 2009:

Joint Public Statement concerning the situation in Honduras as a result of the military coup of 28^th June 2009:

London, 28^th October 2009

Today marks the fourth month since the military coup was staged in Honduras. We, the undersigned coalition of UK-based human rights, international development NGOs and solidarity organisations working in collaboration with organisations in Honduras which includes the Central America Women’s Network (CAWN), War on Want, and One World Action, publicly express serious concerns in relation to the situation in Honduras as a result of this coup that took place on the 28^th June 2009.   We strongly condemn the subsequent actions and violations of human rights by the de facto regime in Honduras.

We have been monitoring the situation in Honduras quite closely for the last four months, and have recorded severe and systematic human rights violations and strict limitations placed on civil liberties. Several institutions, including civil society representatives and special rapporteurs from the UN, have visited Honduras and have re-confirmed our analysis of the situation on the ground.  The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights documented “the use of repression against demonstrations through the placement of military roadblocks; the arbitrary enforcement of curfews; the detentions of thousands of people; cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment; and poor detention conditions”.

On 26^th September, the de facto government issued an executive decree suspending certain rights enshrined in the Constitution, namely articles 69, 72, 81 and 84.  Although the decree was lifted on 5^th October, the removal has yet to be officially published and therefore is still in effect. This decree has effectively violated the freedom of association and movement and peaceful protests, which are basic human rights of the Honduran people.  Furthermore, the de facto government banned two media outlets, Radio Globo and Cholusat Sur TV in an  effort to control the media and information supply. Three radio programmes of the women’s organisations ‘Centro de Derechos de Mujeres’ (CDM), the ‘Centro de Estudios de la Mujer–Honduras’ (CEM-H) and ‘Movimiento de Mujeres por la Paz Visitación Padilla’ were also closed down. These rights should be protected and are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Organisation of American States Charter, and the American Convention of Human Rights, all of which have been ratified by the Republic of Honduras.

The intransigent attitude of the Honduran de facto government also put at risk other democratic processes like the presidential elections, which are expected to happen in November 2009. Under such circumstances, holding elections will send the wrong message to the Honduran de facto government and other nations in the world that the international community might tolerate these actions. Most importantly, these elections will not provide the conditions for transparent and democratic elections, which are necessary to restore democratic values in the country.

We are also deeply concerned about the safety of Honduran people and in solidarity we have joined our voices to call for:

- The de facto government to end immediately all human rights violations carried out against Honduran people.

- The international community and the general public to support mediation efforts for the restoration of democracy, the rule of law, and the protection and defense of human rights in Honduras

- The return of the democratically elected President Zelaya

- The UK government to publicly express its rejection of elections held under conditions of military rule, and to affirm that the elections will only be legitimate after the restoration of democracy to Honduras.

- The EU to reaffirm its decision to stop all negotiations for the Association Agreement between the EU and Central America and the freezing of bilateral development co-operation

Coalition of  UK-based human rights, international development NGOs and solidarity organisations including:

Central America Women’s Network (CAWN)
Encuentros Latinoamericanos
Environmental Network for Central America
Gender Action for Peace and Security UK (GAPS)
Labour behind the Label
Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign
People and Planet
One World Action
War on Want
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Women’s Self Education Fund