Wednesday, June 27, 2012


Urge the U.S. to Stop Funding Honduran Police and Military!
After the June 28, 2009 coup in Honduras that overthrew democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya a strong and courageous citizens’ movement united to struggle for democracy and justice in Honduras.

This movement continued after the illegitimate 2010 election of de facto President Pepe Lobo and the movement continues to this day. We in the United States bear a special responsibility to take action given the shameful support of our government for the illegal coup and the economic, diplomatic and political support for the violent coup regime in Honduras as well as increased U.S. militarization of the region. While trade unions, students, campesinos, teachers continue to struggle for economic and social justice, human rights violations and violence against the people are increasing.
TAKE ACTION  ! Click HERE for more and to take action

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Honduras Solidarity Network: Actions in 9 cities in the US June 28, 2009 - June 28, 2012. 

Three years of Resistance to the Coup in Honduras.
More than 30 organizations in the United States belonging to the Honduran Solidarity Network (HSN) are organizing national actions the week of June 28th in commemoration of the June 28, 2009 Honduran coup - its martyrs, and the ongoing peoples’ movements in resistance. The HSN is demanding that the U.S. end its military-security intervention (financial and direct “boots on the ground”) in support of the Honduran government.
It has been three years since the June 28, 2009 coup that illegally overthrew democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya and more than two years since sham elections installed Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo in office. The political and human rights violence has increased during that time. However the people’s resistance and commitment to refounding Honduran democracy continues with protests, strikes, land occupations and the creation of a new political party, LIBRE. 
The military coup and its continuation unleashed and deepened the impunity, corruption and violence that has contributed to Honduras being designated the most violent country in the world by the United Nations.  Since the coup there have been hundreds of murders thought to be politically motivated. This includes 70 members of the GBLT community; at least 50 campesinos; many well known trade unionists; teachers; indigenous activists; and LIBRE members. In addition more than 20 journalists have been assassinated.   Just this year at least 14 people from these groups have been murdered. The Honduran government has not carried out serious investigations of the crimes.  Despite all this and in spite of 3 Congressional letters calling for an end to US military/security aid to Honduras because of the human rights emergency; in May, the U.S. authorized an additional 50 million dollars of security aid for 2012. 
After the 2009 coup the U.S. government quickly accommodated to the coup government  and, besides providing diplomatic support, is deeply involved in training, advising and  equipping Honduran military and police. Furthermore the US role has escalated. On May 11, 2012 U.S. DEA agents were part of a violent helicopter assault against a dugout canoe carrying 11 indigenous community members down a river in the Mosquitia area that left 4 people dead (including two pregnant women)  and others very seriously injured. The U.S. provided the helicopter and  U.S. agents were with Honduran and Guatemalan military on the operation.   Community members who witnessed the attack also state that there were English speaking soldiers with the Honduran military who terrorized the community for hours after the attack.  This made it impossible for wounded community members to get out of the water and get timely medical assistance.  
Berta Oliva, head of the most important human rights organization in Honduras, the Committee of the Families of the Disappeared Detainees (COFADEH) stated in a press conference after visiting the site of the murders in the Mosquitia that the DEA, the U.S. Military with its major military base in Palmarola, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT) have a presence in Honduras, furthermore there are joint operations of U.S., Honduran, Colombian and Guatemalan security forces in the country. 
“These activities are done in the name of combatting narcotics traffic in order to justify intervention in the county; and with this (intervention) it is logical that we will never have a future that approaches having a State strengthened by respect for the citizens’ civil and political rights.”, stated Oliva.

There will be actions organized by members of the HSN in Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Kansas City, Chicago, Phoenix, Tucson, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Click here for information on the actions. 
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Comunicado de Prensa
Red de Solidaridad con Honduras (HSN):  Acciones en 9 ciudades en los EE.UU.
  28 junio 2009 a 28 junio 2012 - Tres años de resistencia al golpe en Honduras 

Más de 30 organizaciones en los Estados Unidos pertenecientes a la Red de Solidaridad con Honduras (HSN), están organizando acciones por todo el pais durante la semana del 28 de junio en conmemoración al golpe de Estado en Honduras el 28 de junio 2009 - sus mártires, y los movimientos de los pueblos en resistencia.  La HSN está exigiendo que los EE.UU. ponga fin a su intervención militar y de seguridad (tanto financiera como directa) en apoyo al gobierno de Honduras.

Han pasado tres años desde el golpe de estado del 28 de junio 2009, golpe de estado que derrocó ilegalmente al Presidente, democráticamente electo, Manuel Zelaya, y más de dos años desde la farsa electoral que instaló a Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo. La violencia política y las violaciones de los derechos humanos han incrementado durante ese tiempo. Sin embargo la resistencia del pueblo y el compromiso con la democracia y refundación hondureña continúa con las protestas, huelgas, ocupaciones de tierras y la creación de un nuevo partido político, LIBRE.

El golpe militar y su continuación desató y profundizo la impunidad, la corrupción y la violencia que ha contribuido a que Honduras sea designado el país más violento del mundo por las Naciones Unidas. Desde el golpe han ocurrido cientos de asesinatos que parecen tener motivos políticos. Esto incluye a 70 miembros de la comunidad Gay (GBLT);  por lo menos 50 campesinos y otros  sindicalistas, maestros, activistas indígenas y miembros del Partido LIBRE. Además más de 20 periodistas han sido asesinados. Tan sólo este año al menos 14 personas pertenecientes a estos grupos han sido asesinadas. El gobierno hondureño no ha llevado a cabo investigaciones serias de los crímenes. A pesar de todo esto y a pesar de 3 cartas del Congreso dirigidas al Departamento de Estado reclamando poner fin a la ayuda de seguridad y militar a Honduras debido a la crisis de derechos humanos, en mayo de este año en los EE.UU. se autorizaron 50 millones de dólares más de ayuda de seguridad para el año 2012.

Después del golpe de 2009, el gobierno de los EE.UU. rápidamente se acomodó con los golpistas y además de proporcionar apoyo diplomático, está profundamente involucrado en la formación, asesoramiento y equipamiento de militares y policía hondureños. Además, el papel que juega EE.UU. se ha intensificado. El 11 de mayo de 2012 agentes de la DEA de Estados Unidos formaban parte de un de asalto violento desde un helicóptero contra una canoa que llevaba a 11 miembros de comunidades indígenas por un río en el área de Mosquitia. El asalto dejó 4 muertos (entre ellos dos mujeres embarazadas) y otros gravemente heridos. Los EE.UU. proveyeron el helicóptero y agentes estadounidenses estaban con unos militares de Honduras y Guatemala en la operación. Miembros de la comunidad que presenciaron el ataque dijeron también que había soldados que hablan inglés y que venían con los militares hondureños que aterrorizaron a la comunidad aún durante varias horas después del ataque. Esto hizo imposible que los miembros de la comunidad que resultaron heridos pudieran salir del agua y obtener atención médica oportuna.

Berta Oliva, la coordinadora de la organización derechos humanos más importante en Honduras, el Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos (COFADEH) declaró en una conferencia de prensa tras visitar el lugar de los asesinatos en el Moskitio. que la DEA, el Ejército de los EE.UU. con una importante base militar en Palmarola, el FBI, la Oficina de Alcohol, Tabaco, Armas de Fuego y Explosivos (AFT) tienen una marcada presencia en Honduras, por otra parte hay operaciones conjuntas de EE.UU., Honduras, Colombia y Guatemala con las fuerzas de seguridad en el país.

"Estas actividades se llevan a cabo en nombre de la lucha contra el narcotráfico  con el fin de justificar la intervención, y con esto (la intervención) es lógico que nunca tendremos un futuro que se acercara a tener un Estado fortalecido por el respeto a los derecho civiles y políticos de los ciudadanos.”, dijo Oliva.


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Monday, June 11, 2012



el español sigue abajo
Honduras Solidarity Network:  National Day of Action. 
June 28, 2012. Three years of Resistance to the Coup in Honduras.

After the June 28, 2009 coup in Honduras that overthrew democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya a courageous citizens’ movement united to struggle for democracy and justice in Honduras. This movement has continued after sham elections in 2010 to “select” de facto President Pepe Lobo.  We in the United States bear a special responsibility to take action given the shameful support of our government for the illegal coup and its involvement in the outrageous militarization, violence and impunity that not only continue but has escalated. While trade unions, students, campesinos, teachers continue to struggle for  justice and the new resistance political party LIBRE (Liberty and Refoundation Party) is organizing to run against the coup makers and oligarchy in the next elections, human rights violations and violence against the people is increasing.

The Honduras Solidarity Network (HSN) is made up of more than 30 organizations. We are calling for human rights organizations, solidarity organizations, and social justice activists to take action around June 28, 2012. Organize a meeting; a protest at a local Honduran consulate or US government office; write letters protesting US support for the Honduran government to the State Department.
See the attached info sheet for facts and addresses. Visit our website for more resources. Let us know what you are planning and send photos and reports.
email:             honsolnetwork@gmail.com
 to see a list of local actions click on "June 28 Actions" in the sidebar

Español:
Red de Solidaridad con Honduras: Día Nacional de Acción
28 de junio 2012. Tres años de resistencia contra el golpe de Estado en Honduras.
Después del golpe de Estado del  28 de junio de  2009 en Honduras, que derrocó al presidente electo democráticamente, José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, un valiente pueblo  se levantó  y se unió para luchar por la democracia y la justicia. Este movimiento ha continuado después de un simulacro de elecciones en 2010 para “elegir”  al presidente de facto Pepe Porfirio Lobo Sosa. Nosotros/as en los Estados Unidos tenemos la  responsabilidad de tomar las medidas necesarias para apoyar al pueblo hondureño ante  el vergonzoso apoyo de nuestro gobierno al golpe de Estado ilegal y por su participación en la militarización, la  escandalosa violencia y la impunidad que no sólo ha continuado, pero que se ha intensificado. Si bien los sindicatos, estudiantes, campesinos, maestros siguen luchando al igual que la resistencia a través del nuevo partido político libre (Libertad y  Refundación) que se está organizando para competir contra los golpistas y la oligarquía en las próximas elecciones, las violaciones de derechos humanos y la violencia contra el pueblo siguen en aumento.

        La Red de Solidaridad con Honduras (HSN) se compone de más de 30 organizaciones. Hacemos un llamado a las organizaciones de derechos humanos, organizaciones solidarias, y activistas de justicia social para tomar acción en torno al 28 de junio 2012.

        Sugerimos organizar una reunión, una protesta frente a un consulado de Honduras o en la oficina del gobierno de EE.UU., escribir cartas de protesta al gobierno de EE.UU. y al Departamento de Estado por el apoyo que estos le dan al régimen de Honduras. 

Vea la hoja informativa adjunta para los hechos y las direcciones. Visite nuestro sitio web para obtener más recursos. Háganos saber lo que están planeando y envíenos fotos e informes.

        correo electrónico: honsolnetwork@gmail.com
 para ver a una lista de acciones locales (en ingles) haz "clik" en el menu en el "June 28 Actions"

Monday, June 4, 2012

URGENT ACTION Honduran State Discriminates Against Victims of the DEA



COFADEH
Honduran State Discriminates Against Victims of the DEA

The Committee of the Families of the Detained and Disappeared of Honduras, COFADEH, expresses its total repudiation and extreme concern for the abandonment on the part of the state of Honduras, of the victims of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Honduran security agents’ antidrug operation carried out on May 11, 2012 in the community of Paptalaya, Ahuas, Department of Gracias a Dios.

The attack was directed at unarmed people traveling on the Patuca River, impacting 16 families: four people dead including two pregnant women and a 14 year old boy; four wounded, one of whom is also a 14 year old boy; three homes searched; three victims of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; and 10 children orphaned.

The operation was carried out by a multinational force, which according to the Honduran Minister of Defense Marlon Pascua, did not include members of the national Armed Forces[1], and resulted in a very high cost for the population of Ahuas and for Honduran society.

Cofadeh calls on the international Human Rights community and the democratic world, to take vigorous action to prevent the rights of the victims from being violated again.

The indifference and cowardliness of state authorities to confront the consequences of their actions outside of the law has resulted in the lack of adequate medical attention for the wounded and the criminalization of their family members for denouncing this.

The child WILMER LUCAS WALTER (14) and youth  LUCIO ADAN NELSON QUEEN (22),  who were traveling in the boat that was fired on by the DEA and Honduran agents, have been hospitalized since May 11 en regional hospital centers and to date have not received the surgical attention required to treat their serious injuries.

Wilmer is at risk of losing his left hand due to negligence and lack of attention and Lucio is weakened by infection as he waits for orthopedic intervention in his right arm.

In the midst of the so called “war against drugs” the principal victims are the indigenous, Misquito villagers including children and women; the principal actor responsible for these serious actions is the State.

However the executive of the current regime, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, has not provided an official report on what happened on May 11, on the contrary he demonstrated ignorance of the events during a press conference at the Presidential headquarters on Friday, June 1 and made discriminatory comments against the Indigenous, Misquito population.  Lobo not only cast doubt on what happened and the fatal results, but also insinuated in an irresponsible manner, that the attacked villagers were drug traffickers because they were on the Patuca River at early hours of the morning when this zone lacks public transport, its population travels by water at these hours to avoid the sun and lack bridges and roads in a territory abandoned by the State. 
The United States, the second state involved, also evades responsibility.  Lisa Kubiske[2], the U.S. Ambassador in Tegucigalpa, has declared that the DEA team acting in the Mosquitia did so in self defense and because it was their duty in the war against drugs.  Even though neither her government nor Porfirio Lobo have carried out a serious and deep investigation into the events on May 11, she prejudged.
Ahuas is militarized, the population and its families are in pain and intimidated.  The racism and discrimination towards the victims of May 11th is intentional and in this case clearly registers rejection on the part of the State towards indigenous peoples as a way to deny their capacity and rights which has resulted in social exclusion historically.

As a result, Cofadeh calls on the international and national community to:

·         Demand that the State of Honduras take the necessary measures to protect and guarantee the lives of the survivors.
 ·         Demand that Wilmer Lucas Walter (14) and the youth Lucio Adan Nelson Queen recieve swift and adequate treatment required in the State hospitals.  Their case is very serious due to the level of invisibility; it requires political will to resolve it.
 ·         Insist that both governments conduct impartial and exhaustive investigations into the acts of May 11, 2012 resulting in the sanction of those responsible; national, foreign, material and intellectual, according to the law as well as full reparation for damages.  
 ·         An expedited, efficient, independent and impartial investigation into the violation of the human rights of the people detained and especially regarding torture inflicted which should include:
o   Who was in charge of the operation?
o   What was the chain of command?
o   What were the guidelines for the Honduran and United States agents regarding use of force and in particular on the use of combat weapons?
o   Who gave the order to open fire and based on what criteria?

·         Remind the State of Honduras of its obligation to promote and uphold the respect for the rights and obligations contained in the international instruments it has ratified including first and second generation rights.  In addition, the special rights of indigenous people.

Porfirio Lobo Sosa
Casa Presidencial
Tel (504) 2221-4558, 2221-4560, 2221-4562
Fax (504) 2290-5000, 2221-4545

,  
Juan Orlando Hernández
Congreso Nacional
Tel (504) 2269-3181
Fax 2269-3000

Jorge Alberto Rivera Avilés
Presidente de la Corte Suprema de Justicia
Tel (504) 2269-3000  2269-3069 2269-3981

Luis Alberto Rubí
Fiscal General de la República.
Fax (504) 2221-5667
Tel (504) 2221-5670  221-3099
Mail: lrubi@mp.hn
          suazog@mp.hn