IRTF News

Police assaults with rubber bullets and tear gas against environmental defenders resisting construction of the Grand Inter-Oceanic Canal during a demonstration in Nueva Guinea, in the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (RAAS).

Assassination attempt on land rights activist Argemiro Lara, who is a member of MOVICE-Sucre branch (National Movement of Victims of State Crimes) and CPDH (Permanent Committee for the Defence of Human Rights).

Massacre of an indigenous Mayanga family of three in the autonomous Moskitia region where there are land disputes with outside settlers: Bernicia Dixon Peralta, her husband Feliciano Benlis Flores, and their 11 year-old son, Feliciano Benlis Dixon.

Digital attacks (misinformation and distortions meant to discredit and misrepresent) against the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH).

Death threats against members of the Indigenous Councils Santiago Apóstol and San Isidro Labrador in La Paz Department who are opposing the construction of the Los Encinos hydro-electric dam on the Chinacla River: Ana Mirian Romero, Roberto Gómez, María Felicita Lopez and Rodolfo Vasquez.

Death threats by paramilitaries against human rights defenders from several organizations in Barrancabermeja: CREDHOS (Regional Corporation for the Defense of Human Rights), ASORVIMM-Magdalena Medio (Association of Victims of State Crime), ACVC (Peasant Association of the Cimitarra River Valley), ANZORC (National Association of Rural Reserve Areas), and Marcha Patriótica.

Police harassment of Francisca Ramírez, coordinator of the Council for the Defense of Our Land, Lake and Sovereignty, who is organizing protests against the Nicaraguan Grand Inter-oceanic Canal.

Recent digital attacks against two human rights defense organizations: Honduras Solidarity Network (HSN) and the Committee of Relatives of the Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH).

Assassination of environmental defender Jeremy Abraham Barrios Lima, assistant to the executive director of the Guatemalan Center for Legal, Environmental and Social Action (CALAS), and a former student leader.

Surge in attacks and killings of human rights defenders that have occurred during the renegotiation of Colombia’s peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).