March 2nd marks 5 years since the assassination of beloved indigenous rights and river defender Berta Cáceres in Honduras.
The inspiring Lenca leader was internationally recognized for her determined efforts to stop construction of a dam on the Gualcarque River that Indigenous communities opposed for violating their rights. Berta was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, known as the ‘Green Nobel’, for her leadership of this struggle. To learn more, watch a 5-minute video about why Berta was awarded the prize and listen to Berta’s inspiring words at the acceptance ceremony.
The anniversary is an important moment to make visible international support for the courageous defenders who risk their lives to continue the vital human rights work for which Berta was killed.
The anniversary also calls on us to raise our voices yet again to insist that everyone responsible for the assassination of Berta Caceres is identified and brought to justice.
Sustained pressure from inside and outside Honduras has been successful in overcoming entrenched impunity and ensuring that seven men involved in carrying out the contract killing of Berta were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison sentences (read more in this blog).
Yet those who ordered, plotted and paid for the crime have so far escaped accountability, despite ample evidence of their involvement. Until full accountability is achieved, there is little hope of stopping ongoing deadly violence against defenders of land, Indigenous rights and the environment. Honduras remains one of the most dangerous countries in the hemisphere for these defenders and the Indigenous peoples they represent.
TAKE ACTION
Watch Amnesty Canada’s social media channels on March 2nd for #JusticeForBerta posts that tag Honduran authorities. Please share these posts. Or create your own posts like the sample below. Be sure to tag Berta’s organization COPINH, the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations.
Five years on, we do not forget. Those behind the murder of inspiring Indigenous rights & water defender #BertaCáceres still have not been brought to justice. In Canada, we honour Berta. And continue to demand justice for the masterminds @MP_Honduras @ofchb #JusticiaParaBerta pic.twitter.com/AipQ6FrAs4
— Kathy Price (@KPriceAmnesty) January 13, 2021
Thank you for ensuring Honduran authorities know we are watching.
Berta’s family and COPINH are counting on us … to keep up the pressure for the truth and justice, for Berta and for all who follow in her footsteps to protect water, life and dignity.
