Honduras: News & Updates

Continued violence and criminalization of the peaceful resistance to the Los Planes hydroelectric dam being constructed in Pajuiles, Atlántida Department. Since March 2017, Pajuiles and surrounding communities, with the support of the Broad Movement for Dignity and Justice (MADJ), have maintained an encampment to block Hidrocep (Hidroeléctrica Centrales El Progreso) from constructing the hydroelectric dam. Since the disputed presidential election in November 2017, there has been a military and police raid on MADJ’s headquarters, assaults on and surveillance of their members, and threats against Martín Fernandez Guzmán, MADJ’s General Coordinator. At least four members of MADJ have been murdered by state security forces and paramilitaries during the ongoing post-electoral crisis.

Assassanation of human rights lawyer Carlos Hernández by unidentified assailants on April 10 at his office in Tela municipality. Carlos Hernández had been legally defending Arnaldo Chacónis, the mayor of Arizona municipality, who is supporting the organized resistance against the Río Jimalito hydroelectric project, being constructed by Generación Eléctrica (INGELSA)

Brutal murder of environmental defender Luis Fernando Ayala, age 16, in Santa Bárbara Department. He was reported missing on February 19. His mutilated body was found on February 20 with his hands missing and multiple signs of torture.

We are outraged over the continued detention of human rights defender Edwin Robelo Espinal in La Tolva prison, located in Morocelí, El Paraíso Department, and the horrific conditions that exist in this military-run maximum security prison. Arrested January 19, he is one of more than 20 political prisoners being detained in prisons throughout Honduras.

false criminal charges against human rights defender Edwin Robelo Espinal, now in pre-trial detention in a high security prison for up to two years

assassination of TV reporter Igor Abisaí Padilla Chávez by four unidentified assailants in San Pedro Sula, Cortés Department

repressive actions by state security forces against pro-democracy demonstrators. Beaten: Diego Aguilar López and Wilmer Paredes (killed 2 weeks later) of MADJ (Broad Movement for Justice and Dignity). Public smear campaign against MADJ members Martín Fernándezand Víctor Fernández, social activists Karina Flores and Araminta Pereira, and Jesuit priest Fr. Ismael Moreno Coto (Radio Progreso).

violent crackdown by Honduran military against TV journalists covering Opposition Alliance demonstration in Tegucigalpa; injured: Cesar Silva, Rony Martinez, Pedro Amador, Claudia Mendoza. Congressional representative Jari Dixon also beaten.