Brussels, 13/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - A delegation of leaders and representatives of Honduran civil society will be in Brussels from Monday 13 to Wednesday 15 June to raise awareness among EU political decision-makers of the worrying economic, social and cultural and human rights situation in Honduras and to highlight the role that the EU can play through its relations and commitments with the country.
The delegation is visiting Brussels to share a report by a platform of 54 Honduran civil society NGOs, Plataforma EPU, the findings of which are “not encouraging”. Those most affected by the situation are human rights defenders working to protect environmental rights and natural resources who are subjected to acts of violence, harassment, death threats and, indeed, murders say the NGOs Act Alliance EU, CIFCA, FIAN and Grupo Sur in a press release.
The report highlights the case best-known internationally, that of activist Berta Caceres, an environmental activist who worked to defend the River Gualcarque and who was murdered in her own home following many years of threats.
“Many human rights defenders in the country have lost their lives defending nature, our common heritage, and most of these killings have been carried out by the police and military”, states the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organisations of Honduras (COPINH), a Honduran NGO, denouncing the pressure exerted by the Honduran energy company Desarrollos Energeticos (DESA) and the “permanent harassment” from justice officials.
“This violence is a direct result of the dominant model for economic growth which is supported and sustained by states despite the negative impacts this has on rights and peoples. The Honduran government actively promotes a development model that violates the economic, social and cultural rights of Honduran communities, particularly those living in rural areas, including indigenous and small farming communities”, says the NGO FIAN.
ACT Alliance EU, CIFCA, FIAN and Grupo Sur point out that a number of projects in Honduras have investment from European companies or development banks.
The NGOs highlight, too, that, in a resolution adopted on 14 April (see EUROPE 11533), the European Parliament condemned the murders of human rights defenders and called for the EU to ensure that its investment in Honduras does not encourage or permit projects that could potentially lead to human rights violations.
The report is available at: http://goo.gl/e8O3RA . (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)