Front Line is gravely concerned following reports received regarding the killing of transgender human rights defender, Cynthia Nicole, on 9 January 2009. Cynthia Nicole was a leader in Colectivo Violeta, an organisation which has worked in the defence of the rights of transgender people since 1995. Her work included providing information on HIV/AIDS and human rights, as well as representing her community at national conferences and in the media. She also worked as a translator with representatives of Front Line during a recent visit to Honduras to meet with human rights defenders at risk.

Further Information

Early in the morning on 9 January 2009, Cynthia Nicole was shot three times in the chest and once in the head by three unknown men driving a blue car in Barrio Guaserique, Comayaguela, near Tegucigalpa. Police investigators have reportedly found the abandoned car and the bullet casings from the shooting, but to date none of the perpetrators have been identified.

Front Line believes that the killing of Cynthia Nicole may be related to her legitimate human rights activities, in particular her involvement in the defence of the rights of the transgender community. Given that there have reportedly been several violent attacks against transgender people in the country in recent months, Front Line is concerned that this may form part of an ongoing trend of harassment against the transgender community in Honduras.