Joint Statement: Attacks and intimidation against participants and international observers at the International Meeting "Berta Cáceres Lives"

Below we describe the events witnessed:

• - Around 2 pm, the peaceful caravan arrived at the community of San Ramon, municipality ofSan Francisco de Ojuera. Participants at the front of the commemorative march wereconfronted by a group of about 30 people who expressed their support for the Agua Zarcahydroelectric project implemented by the company Desarrollo Energéticos S.A. (DESA). Theycarried placards with inscriptions supporting the hydroelectric project and against the CivicCouncil of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), brandishingmachetes and issuing serious threats against COPINH and other participants in theinternational meeting. Despite the significant presence of police and army along the entireroute of the international caravan, there were just six police officers positioned in front of thegroup."

• - The caravan continued its journey to the banks of the River Gualcarque where a spiritualceremony was held in memory of Berta Cáceres.

• - At approximately 5 pm, the caravan ended and a few metres before reaching the buses fortheir return transport, the same group of people appeared; shouting, insulting, threatening andwielding their machetes. Unexpectedly these people started throwing stones at people whowere walking towards the buses. This created panic as people had to run several metres toprotect themselves. As a result of this incident, a dozen people in the caravan were woundedafter being hit by stones, and at least two people were beaten by the group of people. Theattackers also issued death threats to members of COPINH, particularly its new generalcoordinator Tomas Gomez. Amongst the people who were assaulted and injured were peoplewho are beneficiaries of precautionary measures, including several members of the generalcoordination of COPINH.2

• - Faced with the violence that broke out, the National Police did not react immediately, onlyintervening after several people in the caravan insistently requested it. We are concerned thatthe Honduran authorities did not ensure the safety of those present and did not takeimmediate action against the attacks.

These events have occurred in the context of repeated complaints against the DESA company.These complaints hold the company responsible for the murder of Berta Cáceres as well as formultiple threats and attacks against members of communities and COPINH because of theiropposition to the Agua Zarca dam. In light of these developments, we express our serious concernabout the situation of extreme vulnerability for organisations, communities and human rightsdefenders in Honduras, and in particular members of COPINH. The organisations below reiterateour support to requests from Berta Cáceres’ family and members of COPINH, urging the Hondurangovernment to sign an agreement with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR),creating a committee of independent experts to investigate the murder of Berta Cáceres and othercases of human rights defenders who have been killed in Honduras, despite having been grantedprecautionary measures from the IACHR.

In this context characterised by the closure of spaces for human rights defenders, we are alsoconcerned that situations like the one above make difficult international accompaniment andobservation to help protect spaces for non-violent conflict resolution and the promotion anddefence of human rights in Honduras. The work of international accompaniers and observers in thecountry responds to requests from organisations and civil society who have the right to defend theirrights, and to seek support and international observation when faced with threats and attacks.

Taking into account the views expressed above and the responsibility of States to ensurethe protection, respect and fulfilment of international human rights law, we call upon theinternational community to undertake the following actions to put a stop to and prevent thisescalation of violence against the defence of human rights:

• Issue a statement to the President of the Republic, Commissioner for Human Rights and theMinistry of Justice, Interior and Human Rights:

◦ Expressing appreciation and support for the work of national and internationalorganisations participating in the caravan on 15 April.

◦ Showing concern at the situation described above and the lack of immediate reaction bythe authorities present to the reported violence.

◦ Reminding the Honduran State of its obligation to protect human rights defenders, andemphasising the importance of the work they carry out in Honduras. It is also important tohighlight the importance of the work carried out by international observers andaccompaniment organisations when their presence is requested due to threats and attacks.

• In particular, we call on the Diplomatic Corps and Ministries of Foreign Affairs and / or AidAgencies to ask for the competent institutions to clarify the events reported, urging a prompt,impartial and thorough investigation into the attacks and threats made by the aggressors and intothe actions of the national police.

• Express publicly, through the appropriate channels, support for the work of human rightsdefenders in Honduras and their right to receive support from international organisations and otherorganisations.

“Human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings; their protectionand promotion is the first responsibility of governments”3

Organizations:

- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), in the framework of the Observatory for theProtection of Human Rights Defenders

- Front Line Defenders

- Honduras Solidarity Network in North America (Honduras Solidarity Network in North America)

- Hondurasdelegation (Germany / Austria)

- Ecumenical Office for Peace and Justice (Germany)

- World Organisation against Torture (OMCT), in the framework of the Observatory for theProtection of Human Rights Defenders.

- Peace Brigades International (PBI Honduras)
- The International Platform against Impunity (Plataforma Internacional contra la Impunidad.)- PROAH (Proyecto de Acompañamiento internacional en Honduras)
- Protection International
- Witness for Peace (Acción Permanente por la Paz)

1 Two days after these incidents, 17 April 2016, the Canada-Honduras Delegation for Justice, Land and Life went to the opencast goldmine San Andres in La Union, Copan. As the Canadian delegation approached the city of Azacualpa, a group of about 180 mineworkers - some armed with machetes, sticks and stones - blocked the street. The delegation reported that the police were present butinitially failed to act. The delegation was later notified that they could travel safely to the community and the police managed to dispersethe crowd. Mining Watch and other NGOs from the delegation, however, have expressed serious concern about this kind of intimidation.

2 Members of the coordination of COPINH are beneficiaries of IACHR precautionary measures 112-16 of 03.05.2016.

3 Adopted by the UN World Conference on Human Rights (157/93)