The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights visited Honduras
Between May 16 and 18, the IACHR visited Honduras to follow up the report made after the coup d’état suffered by that country.
On January 20 2010, the Inter-American Commission published a report on the human rights situation in Honduras, after conducting a visit in loco motivated by the coup that took place in June 2009. From May 16 to May 18 a delegation of the IACHR integrated by the president Felipe Gonzalez, the first vice-president Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, the executive secretary Santiago Canton, the special rapporteur for freedom of expression Catalina Botero and part of the staff of the executive secretariat visited Honduras to keep track of that report. After the visit the Commission concluded that despite the progress made towards democratic reconstruction many human rights violations persist (particularly against vulnerable groups like children, the LGBT community, women, the indigenous and Garifuna people). Assassinations, threats and harassment of various people including journalists, human rights defenders, social communicators, members of Resistencia and teachers continued to occur.
The Commission expressed, as well, a concern about the removal of judges who spoke out against the coup. In this regard, the Commission pointed out the controversial role of the Supreme Court of Honduras during and after the coup since they acquitted soldiers accused of being involved in the coup and removed judges who tried to avoid it by democratic means.
The Commission stressed the importance of creating a Commission for Truth and Reconciliation although this became operational a few days before the arrival of the body and is in a stage of formulating its rules. In this regard, the IACHR noted that the Commission for Truth and Reconciliation should focus its work to investigate allegations of human rights violations, without it implying that the state fails to comply with its duty to investigate and punish those responsible.
In turn, the Inter-American Commission considered it a breakthrough the appointment of the Minister Advisor on Human Rights but still pointed out that it yet needs the resources to carry out its functions.
Click here to access the report on Honduras.
Links to the news in different media:
Ciprodeh entrega a CIDH informe sobre derechos humanos en el país - La Tribuna
CEJIL pide condicionar el regreso de Honduras a la OEA a los derechos humanos - ABC.es
Misión de la CIDH termina visita tras reunión con diputados - La Tribuna
Resistencia espera que la CIDH sancione a Honduras por violaciones a DD.HH. - La verdad.com
CIDH presentó informe sobre Derechos Humanos - La Tribuna
Una comisión de la OEA denuncia que en Honduras continúa la violación de los DDHH - rtve.es
CIDH se va preocupada por violaciones de derechos humanos en Honduras- Revistazo.com