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Environmental Human Rights: News & Updates

News Article

Park ranger Adonias Cruz, part of a team monitoring illegal oil palm crops in Honduras, faced a death threat at his home. The dangerous nature of their work stems from groups involved in palm oil exploitation and drug trafficking. Palm oil, a lucrative export for Honduras, poses environmental risks, threatening biodiversity and water quality. The cultivation boom, fueled by financial incentives, has also led to illegal plantations, impacting national parks. Drug traffickers invest in oil palm to legitimize income, control territory, and exploit government incentives. Environmental activists, combating illegal plantations, face deadly consequences, with Honduras being the deadliest country for them. Despite efforts, including the establishment of the Green Battalion, logistical challenges and corruption hinder effective protection against illegal oil palm activities.

News Article

Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) is a facet of international law enabling private corporations to sue governments impeding their profits. This mechanism, embedded in bilateral investment treaties (BITs), often favors wealthy states, compelling less powerful nations to accept ISDS provisions for market access. ISDS allows corporations to challenge governmental actions, even those addressing public health or environmental concerns. The dystopian nature of ISDS is exemplified in the case of Honduras Próspera, a US company attempting to establish a libertarian enclave in Honduras. Despite the Honduran government's efforts to repeal laws facilitating this project, Honduras Próspera initiated an $11 billion ISDS case. Progressive International launched a campaign, denouncing this as 'corporate colonialism' and highlighting the broader threat to global South nations challenging corporate influence through democratic means. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle against neoliberalism and neocolonialism, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity to secure economic and political rights.

News Article

International organizations strongly condemn the Guatemalan Public Prosecutor's Office for criminalizing political opposition, academics, journalists, and human rights defenders in the "Takeover of the USAC: political booty" case. This abuse of power aims to prevent the inauguration of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and others on January 14, 2024. Raids and arrests targeting 27 individuals, including human rights advocates and academics, occurred in connection with their peaceful resistance against election anomalies at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala in 2022. The Public Prosecutor's Office plans to pursue pre-trial proceedings against elected officials, deepening a strategy of unjust criminalization. International bodies, including the OAS and IACHR, express grave concern and call on Guatemala to respect election results and cease actions threatening constitutional order and judicial independence. They emphasize the need for international oversight to prevent further abuses and signal that authoritarian manipulation of laws will not be tolerated on the global stage.

News Article

Welcome to the vibrant celebration of human rights at the IRTF's 43rd Annual Commemoration Program, Fiesta De Derechos Humanos! As we gather to honor and reflect on the enduring pursuit of justice, this program book serves as a testament to the diverse voices advocating for human rights around the globe. Join us in commemorating the progress made and acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead in our collective journey towards a more just and equitable world. Through engaging narratives, powerful testimonials, and inspiring perspectives, Fiesta De Derechos Humanos encapsulates the essence of our shared commitment to fostering a world where human rights flourish for all.

To view the entire program book visit: https://tinyurl.com/Commemoration23

News Article

The Organization of American States (OAS) plans to continue monitoring Nicaragua's democracy and human rights situation despite the country's impending departure from the organization. Nicaragua's withdrawal, initiated by President Daniel Ortega, will not deter OAS from scrutinizing his administration. The OAS aims to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua, sending a message of support to the Nicaraguan people. The resolution is seen as crucial in the face of Ortega's government suppressing dissent since the 2018 protests. Although Nicaragua's exit is considered a setback for democracy, OAS members express determination to stand by the country, rejecting the notion of abandonment. Ortega's government initiated the withdrawal process in 2021, following international criticism of flawed elections. Brazil hopes for Nicaragua's eventual return, while Uruguay warns Ortega that the departure won't be easy, emphasizing the impact on Nicaraguans living under the perceived dictatorship.

News Article

The text provides an update on the ongoing Indefinite National Strike in Guatemala, initiated on October 2nd by Indigenous Ancestral Authorities and supported by various sectors of the population. The main demand is the resignation of officials involved in the "Pact of Corrupt." The Indigenous authorities have shifted their strategy, ending highway blockades but maintaining a sit-in outside the Public Prosecutor's Office in Guatemala City. The US Assistant Secretary of State met with President-Elect Bernardo Arévalo, not the current president, and discussed potential sanctions to ensure democratic order. Political parties in Congress proposed removing Attorney General Consuelo Porras from her post. Tragically, an Indigenous leader involved in the strike was murdered, demanding a thorough investigation. Despite the end of the electoral process, the strike continues, and new actions are expected as the people persist in their demands for justice and accountability. Solidarity with Guatemala is encouraged.

 

News Article

The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, along with the Latin American Working Group and the Guatemalan Human Rights Commission, has expressed solidarity with the people of Guatemala, particularly Indigenous communities, who are fighting for democracy, human rights, and accountability. They condemn the Guatemalan government's attempts to overturn the August 20, 2023 elections and prevent President-Elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office. The government's tactics include intimidation, threats, and legal actions against election workers and the winning party, Movimiento Semilla. The international community recognizes Arévalo's landslide victory. The protesters, including Indigenous authorities, human rights activists, women's groups, and religious leaders, demand the resignation of corrupt officials and the protection of their constitutional right to peaceful protest. The article calls on the United States to impose sanctions on the guilty officials and urges the Guatemalan government to respect the election results and ensure a peaceful transition of power. The solidarity statement expresses support for the courageous people of Guatemala in their struggle for democracy and the rule of law.

News Article

On behalf of IRTF’s Rapid Response Network (RRN) members, we wrote six letters this month to heads of state and other high-level officials in Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, urging their swift action in response to human rights abuses occurring in their countries.  We join with civil society groups in Latin America to: (1) protect people living under threat, (2) demand investigations into human rights crimes, (3) bring human rights criminals to justice.

 

Volunteers with the Rapid Response Network (RRN)—together with IRTF staff—write letters in response to six urgent human rights cases each month. We send copies of these letters to US ambassadors, embassy human rights officers, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, regional representatives of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and desk officers at the US State Department. To read the letters, see https://www.irtfcleveland.org/content/rrn , or ask us to mail you hard copies.

News Article

UN experts, led by Marco Feoli Villalobos of the UN Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture (SPT), urged Guatemala to safeguard the human rights of detainees after their second visit to the country. Despite challenges in transportation and communication, the delegation inspected over 20 detention facilities, including prisons, migrant shelters, and children's homes. They found alarming conditions that could amount to torture and called on Guatemala to modernize its criminal justice system with input from all branches of government. The SPT will share its findings and recommendations in a confidential report with Guatemala, encouraging the state to make it public. The delegation also engaged with civil society and international organizations during their visit.

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