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Front Line Defenders Statement on Violence Against HRDs in the Americas 2012

The start of the new year has seen a dangerous turn for the worse for human rights defenders in the Americas. In the last 2 weeks alone, Front Line Defenders has documented a number of cases of killing, attempted killing, attacks and death threats to human rights defenders throughout the region.

Front Line Defenders is extremely concerned about the apparent increase in violence and intimidation against human rights defenders in the Americas region. As the region continues to deal with the legacy of the past and makes strides towards justice and accountability, it is more important than ever to ensure the safety and security of human rights defenders working on the front lines of securing political, social, cultural, economic and other human rights for the people of the region.

You can read more about these cases on the Americas page at www.frontlinedefenders.org and you can stay updated on news about human rights defenders around the world by signing up for the Front Line Defenders e-bulletin via the website.

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Honduras: Protect Defenders of Gay Rights in Hondurasposted on: 2012/02/01

Across the country, human rights defenders from various organisations working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights have been targeted by threats, surveillance, kidnappings, intimidation and killings. Despite these threats the defenders of the LGBTI community continue to work for progress in this extremely dangerous environment. LGBTI defenders in Honduras are doubly discriminated against. They are discriminated firstly because they are human rights defenders and secondly because they defend LGBTI rights.

Honduras: Attacks against human rights defenders Mr Gonzalo Cruz and Father Marco Aurelio Lorenzo by police agentsposted on: 2012/01/12

During recent weeks there have been reports of attacks by police agents against human rights defenders working on issues relating to the protection of natural resources.

Mary Lawlor: First Anniversary of the 10 on the 10th Campaignposted on: 2011/12/10

Mary Lawlor, Director of Front Line Defenders updates the 10 on the 10th campaign, one year after it was launched on International Human Rights Day.

Honduras: Protect Defenders of Gay Rights in Hondurasposted on: 2011/06/20

Across the country, human rights defenders from various organisations working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights have been targeted by threats, surveillance, kidnappings, intimidation and killings. Despite these threats the defenders of the LGBTI community continue to work for progress in this extremely dangerous environment. LGBTI defenders in Honduras are doubly discriminated against. They are discriminated firstly because they are human rights defenders and secondly because they defend LGBTI rights.

So far in 2010 30 members of the LGBTI community have reportedly been killed in Honduras and there are several documented cases of LGBTI defenders fleeing the country to seek asylum because of very real threat to their lives. The campaign against the LGBTI community is becoming increasingly violent for both individuals and organisations.

These individuals and organisations put their lives at risk every day in order to promote and progress the rights of others.

A violent and aggressive culture has developed against these defenders in Honduras making it very difficult for them to carry out their work. Human rights defender working on LGBTI rights, Walter Trochez was murdered on December 13th 2009.

Join the campaign and help put an end to this.

Honduras: Help Protect the Environmental Movement of Olancho (MAO)posted on: 2011/06/20

The Environmental Movement of Olancho (MAO) campaigns to stop the illegal and unrestricted logging that has led to soil erosion, the drying up of rivers and the further impoverishment of the people. Destructive and irresponsible logging practices have led to an environmental crisis which caused widespread contamination and led to the spread of disease in the affected region. Because their activities threaten the economic interests of the major logging companies they have been harrassed, intimidated, attacked and killed.

MAO faces major repression from the government and the military as well as the logging companies. Members, including Carlos Flores, Mauricio Hernandez, Arturo Reyes, Heraldo Zuniga and Roger Ivan Cartagena have been killed. These cases have not been investigated and the perpetrators have still to be identified. Local coordinator Rene Gradis and Padre Andres Tamayo have both survived repeated assasination attempts.

Honduras: Killing of human rights journalist Mr Héctor Francisco Medina Polancoposted on: 2011/05/13

Front Line is deeply saddened by the news of the death of human rights defender and journalist Mr Héctor Francisco Medina Polanco on 11 May 2011. A few hours before, on 10 May evening, Héctor Francisco Medina Polanco had been shot and fatally wounded on his way home from his place of work. He was the producer and host of a news programme on provincial television channel Alfa & Omega Visión in which he addressed issues such as corruption in the municipal government and land disputes.

Honduras: Human rights defenders subjected to a campaign of attacks, threats, arrests and judicial harassmentposted on: 2011/04/05

Human rights defenders, trade unionists and journalists in Honduras are facing a wave of repression as the authorities crack down on ongoing protests in support of striking teachers' unions.

Honduras: Joint Appeal - Assault and judicial harassment of human rights defender Ms Miriam Miranda Chamorro posted on: 2011/03/30

A Joint Urgent Appeal from Front Line, American Jewish World Service and Urgent Action Fund Latin America:

On 28 March 2011, human rights defender Ms Miriam Miranda Chamorro was detained for ten and a half hours by authorities in the municipality of Tela, Honduras. Miriam Miranda Chamorro is the President of the Organización Fraternal Negra Hondureña – OFRANEH an organisation which has worked since 1978 for the promotion of the Afro-Carribean Garífuna community's capacity for self-determination through programmes which support their political, social, economic and cultural advancement. She was a participant in the 2005 Dublin Platform for human rights defenders.

New investigative unit set up in Honduras

Will delivery live up to promise?

Human Rights Defenders in Honduras have scored another good win. The Honduran Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Ana Pineda, met with members of LGBT organizations on 21 January 2011. The organizations asked the State to investigate the violent deaths of members of the LGBT community - 31 murders since June 2009 - and to join the struggle against the homophobia that prevails in Honduras.

On February 22, 2011, the Minister of Security of Honduras, Oscar Alvarez announced that he would create a special unit to investigate crimes against journalists, LGTB people and other vulnerable groups.

We welcome the news that Honduras is creating this special investigative unit. Hopefully those brave human rights defenders who have been subjected to killings, rape and torture will have more protection now in their struggle for the rights of all marginalised groups. including the Environmental Movement of Olancho (MAO) - one of our long term campaigns. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Help-Protect-The-Environmental-Movement-of-Olancho/135358439856336

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