In response to the attacks against human rights defenders who were monitoring protests in Honduras in recent days, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas director at Amnesty International, said:
“In recent days, Amnesty International has recorded several attacks against human rights defenders who have intervened in the detention of demonstrators and others not involved in the protests in Honduras, as well as the use of tear gas by security forces outside the headquarters of the Committee of Relatives of Detained and Disappeared Persons in Honduras (COFADEH), where demonstrators tried to take shelter. We also observed with alarm the detention of a human rights defender, followed by public statements questioning and stigmatizing the work these people do.”
“The Honduran authorities must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. They must prevent aggressions by members of the security forces against demonstrators and human rights defenders, and publicly acknowledge the legitimate and fundamental work that defenders do, particularly in the context of peaceful protests. They must also refrain from using language that stigmatizes or discredits them.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Elizabeth Berton-Hunter, Media Relations 416-363-9933 ext 332 bberton-hunter@amnesty.ca
Read more:
Honduras: Authorities must guarantee due process for human rights defenders (Research, 28 February 2019)
Honduras: Authorities must guarantee due process for human rights defenders
Protest prohibited: Use of force and arbitrary detentions to suppress dissent in Honduras (Research, 13 June 2018)
Honduras: Protest prohibited: Use of force and arbitrary detentions to suppress dissent in Honduras
