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The Honduras Working Group of the Latin
approach to solidarity work in Honduras by d
of popular movements demanding political, s
democratic, non-profit and independent or
with the progressive and democratic tran
mobilizes local communities in Canada to s
Canadian government, corporations or other
For more infor
hon
A BROA
This overview seeks to provide a brief poli
Honduran people and encourage Canadians
believe that Canadians have a responsibility t
founded on an economic mod
*NOTE: The s(we have adapted
HONDURAS: CANAHUMAN RIGHTS, CHARTE
SUMMARY
America and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN) has t
enouncing the military coup in 2009 and policies that underm
ocial and economic transformation of the country. LACSN, b
anization, which brings together organizations that carry o
formation processes taking place in Latin America and th
pport those transformations. We denounce any interferenc
entities that violate the autonomy and sovereignty of the peop
ation or to support our work please contact us at:
CALL TO CANADIAN CIVIL SOCIETY
ical summary of the situation in Honduras. Also to share the st
to demand fair and explicit human-rights based trade relations
demand from their government accountability, and to ensure
el based on exploitation of local communities and natural reso
ummary was developed by using different sourcesnd translated these for format and summary purposes)
DA HONDURAS FREE TRADE AGREE
CITIES & THE TRUTH COMMISSIONOVERVIEW & CALL TO ACTI
aken a root-cause
ine the development
ased in Toronto, is a
ut work in solidarity
e Caribbean; LACSN
e on the part of the
le of the region.
ruggles facing the
with Honduras. We
that policies are not
rces.
ENT(FTA),N
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Create a Secretariat of Justice and Human Rights to secure human rights in Honduras and
invite the UN Human Rights Commission to establish an office in Honduras.
Constitute a monitoring (verification) commission, consisting initially of the Colombian and
Venezuelan presidencies, to help assure the successful implementation of the agreement.
While many celebrate the signing of the Accord, others feel it legitimizes the coupe dtat and
the current repressive regime. They condemn the use of Human Rights as a political instrument
of reconciliation and fear that the grave Human Rights violations will be swept under the rug.
Can ad a H on d u ra s
F ree T rad e Ag reemen t ( FTA )WHY OPPOSE FREE TRADE?FTAs are little more than legal frameworks that usurp the power and role of states. They hand
over unvetted access and control to multinational corporations that seek to exploit the wealth
and natural resources of countries of the global south. These trade policies and regulations are
often opposed by local campesino, Indigenous and Afro communities who are most impacted
and displacement by them. These trade agreements undermine their democratic processes
and set the stage for investment capital to operate without regulation, leaving a trail of
environmental destruction, displacement militarization, corrupted institutions and overall
underdevelopment.
CANADAS PROFIT VS HUMAN & LABOUR RIGHTSWhile Canadas international image is that of a country that fosters Human Rights and respect
for the rule of law, its multinational corporations, aided by Canadian trade policy, continue to
expand their influence at the expense of local populations in developing countries.
Taking advantage of a repressive & illegitimate government that emerged in Honduras after
the coup dtat in July 2009, the Canadian government diplomatically supported the coup and
the regimes fraudulent elections in November 2009. It failed to denounce the Human Rights
violations and has positioned Canadian companies to financially profit from the climate of
violence and repression in Honduras by promoting corporate mining and textile investments.
When Peter Kent was Minister of State of Foreign Affairs to the Americas and was
questioned on the ethics of Canadas economic motives in Honduras, Kent stated that
Canadians should be proud of industries such as Gildan Activewear and Goldcorp (inHonduras) ...they are providing employment and fair wages.
Yet, in 2004 Gildan Activewear was charged with violating labour standards in
Honduras, including targeted dismissals of workers involved in union activities. Gildans
response was to close its factory in Honduras and move operations to Haiti, forcing
1,800 workers into unemployment.
Canada is one of the largest foreign investors despite human rights violations: is the largest in
mining, has one of the largest maquila manufacturers and one of the largest in tourism.
Canada has been aggressively promoting increased investment and trade since the Lobo
government came to power in January 2010.
Canada is poised to ratify the FTA agreement when parliament resumes this fall of 2011,
despite the fact that the current government continues to persecute its detractors organized
under a growing social popular movement led by FNRP.
CALL TO ACTION FOR CANADIANS For Canadians to demand their government to expose the Canadian hidden agenda
of economic expansion in the Central American region.
For Canadians to denounce Canadian corporate trade relations that aim to exploit
the wealth and natural resources of Honduras and leads to widespread labour,
human and environmental rights violations.
For Canadians to demand their government to stop FTA agreement with Honduras
because of its poor Human Rights record
For Canadians to try to rescue and strengthen the spirit of the Bill C-300
For Canadians to continue building solidarity with Honduran social movements
QUOTE
Lets remember, the
Universal Human Rights
declaration states that
there must exist a free,
prior and informedconsent before taking a
decision on the
indigenous and afro-
descendent communities.
When we presented this
motion at the House of
Commons in Ottawa, we
were told that it was not
possible.
We were told thatcontent of FTA
negotiations could not be
made public. This is an
assault not only for
Honduran people, but
also for the Canadian
people.
Canadians should know
what their government
does with the power that
you provide.
Pedro LandaPedro LandaPedro LandaPedro Landa(During his public presentation
on March 2011 in Toronto on
CANADA-HONDURAS FTA)
Honduras
Working Grouphttp://lacsn.weebly.com/
honduras.html
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CHARTER C ITIES ( Mod e l C i t i e s ) REDS : SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT REGIONS
Honduras will be the experimental laboratory from extremist ideas of neoliberal economist
Paul Romer, a graduate of the School of Economics at the University of Chicago, who plans to
establish a 100 year economic, political, legal and social system within Honduran territory,
regardless of the laws and citizens rights. In general terms, the concept is about smallautonomous states within the state (some critics describe these as mini Dubais). These
charters cities would be fully open to investment by transnational capital.
In the case of Honduras, Paul Romer suggests that the State grants a concession of 100
hundred years in an area of approximately 1000 square kilometers so that it can be
administered by one or more developed countries or transnational groups, allowing them to
create an autonomous city with its own legislation and with its own trading laws. According to
Romer, Honduras Charter Cities would be a "territorial area covered by their own rules to
attract investment, create jobs and manage their specific health and education systems, and
promote cutting-edge technological development .
However, the banana republic is very familiar with the implications of this form of
exploitation of land, resources and people and the resistance movement has begun to
denounce this new mask of neo-liberal expansion.
CYNICAL EXPRESSION OF EXPLOITATION
According to Honduran Constitutional lawyer, Carlos Augusto Hernandez, he views Charter
Cities as a cynical expression of the oligarchy that continues to act behind the rule of law, often
citing the Constitution when is favourable to them, while facts show that they constantly
betray the principles of sovereignty. He further expands on this by describing that it is a form
of domination, the new mask enclave model, in which the multinationals in partnerships with
the national oligarchy plan to develop its penetration and domination of the national territory.
Furthermore, Berta Cceres (Indigenous leader of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous
Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) rejects the recent Constitutional amendments to permit
REDs, which threatens the life, sovereignty and culture of indigenous peoples in Honduras.
"First of all, is a contradiction to have a Charter Cities in the midst of a
society in rags. It is a contradiction to talk about development when
referring to profits that only benefits the few.
For indigenous peoples, development means to share the wealth and put
in the center of all the people's welfare. Charter Cities is another
extermination project of regions that are sources for biodiversity. It Involve
the destruction of forests, lands, water resources and cultures of peoples,
particularly indigenous peoples. It is a model brought from countries that
have become big markets and big shops.
The transnational groups that led the coup now seek to profit from it. This presents an
additional challenge for the FNRP (National Front of Popular Resistance), to stop this new form
of exploitation in order to continue defending Honduran sovereignty.
*Source: Content from Ismael Morenos analysis on Charter Cities (adapted
and roughly translated by volunteers at LACSN). Una Ciudad Modelo en una
Sociedad en Harapos (2011)
QUOTE
In the real Honduras,
meanwhile, the repression
continues. Ive just received
an email announcing the
death of the 11th journalistsince the dubious election
that gave Lobo the
presidency. The number of
politically active people who
have died or disappeared
since the coup is now more
than 300.
Forty campesinos have died
in the Aguan valley, where
Miguel Facuss, one of
Hondurass most powerful
businessmen, has been
turning their land intoAfrican palm plantations to
serve the growing US biofuel
market.
Instead of condemning the
repression, the US
government has extended its
military collaboration with
the government. And US
officials recently attended a
conference in San Pedro Sula
entitled Honduras Is Open
for Business.
John PerryJohn PerryJohn PerryJohn PerryHonduras, Open for Bussiness,
London Review of Books Blog
(May 18, 2011)
Honduras
Working Grouphttp://lacsn.weebly.com/
honduras.html
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STRUGGLE FOR TRUTH TWO TRUTH COMMISSIONS: GOVERNMENT VS CIVIL SOCIETY
THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION VS.
THE CIVIL SOCIETY TRUTH COMMISSION
In the aftermath of the June 28, 2009 coup dtat in Honduras, the Organization of AmericanStates (OAS) designated then-Costa Rican President Oscar Arias as mediator between the coup
regime and the ousted government to reach a diplomatic resolution to the political crisis. The
establishment of a truth commission became part of a 12-point plan in what is known as the
San Jose Accord and a pre-requisite for Honduras to gain readmittance to the OAS and
recognition by many governments, including the United States. The San Jose Accord was
signed by both ousted President Manuel Zelaya and de facto President Roberto Micheletti.
However, failure to fulfill two important provisions of the accord -- the restoration to power of
President Manuel Zelaya for the remainder of his presidential term and the inclusion of
Zelayas ousted government in the formation of a unity government-- led Zelaya to declare the
accord null and void. Nonetheless, the de facto presidents who have illegitimately held power
since the ouster of Zelaya, first Michiletti and now Porfirio Pepe Lobo, have gone forward
implementing other provisions of the accord such as the formation of a Truth Commission
know as The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR for its acronym in Spanish).
LACK OF COMPLIANCE PROMPTED THE CREATION OF
THE CIVIL-SOCIETY TRUTH COMMISSION
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was formed on April 13, 2010. Honduran and
international human rights organizations immediately criticized the CVR for its lack of
compliance with international standards for truth commissions. These concerns prompted the
Human Rights Platform of Honduras and other civil society groups to create an alternative
truth commission that they agreed to call the True Commission Comisin de Verdad (CDV
for its acronym in Spanish).
Below is a summary of some of the CVD objectives (for full detailed objectives, please visit the
Commissions website at www.comisiondeverdadhonduras.org :
Investigate and determine the human rights violations that occurred during the coup dtat
and those which continue to be perpetrated through the finalization of the Commissions
mandate & shall identify the responsible parties whenever possible.
Investigate and determine the patterns of aggression and persecution faced by human
rights defenders and social leaders, and to identify the responsible parties when possible.
Identify: the precedents leading to the coup dtat
Establish proposals to reclaim victims rights to truth, justice and reparations.
Identify each state institutions role in civil-military coup & human rights violations
Draft a report including all the preceding elements that shall be presented to the Honduran
people and widely distributed within the international community
Once preceding points have been identified, it shall establish the continued presence of an
international authority to monitor, observe, act & provide necessary assistance to ensure
full compliance with the recommendations of the CVD.
*Source: Content (adapted from the Civil Societys Truth Commission
website). www.comisiondeverdadhonduras.org. (2011)
*The Government Commission Report (CVR) to be released in June 2011
*The Civil-Societys Truth Commission (CDV) Report to be released at the end of this year
RESOURCE: For speaking notes on March 9, 2011 Hearing presentation onHonduras, Convened by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of
Commons in Ottawa, Canada please read: A PERSPECTIVE FROM HONDURAS CIVIL
SOCIETY TRUTH COMMISSION; by Prof Craig Scott (Hes one of the Commissioners
at the Civil-Society Truth Commission). http://ssrn.com/abstract=1788572
QUOTE
John PerryHonduras, Open for
Bussiness, London Review of
Books Blog (May 18, 2011)
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No Justice
without Truth
With the support of
human rights defenders
worldwide, we hope andpray that this commission
will see the day and begin
to help our country heal
and move towards a
more just and democratic
future.
BBBBerthaerthaerthaertha OlivaOlivaOlivaOlivaA Real Truth Commission for
Honduras, HUFFPOST World
(2010)
The True Commission(CVD) aims to do just that
- uncover the depth of
this human rights crisis to
lay the foundations for
justice and peace. Day by
day more stories come to
the surface and soon
more and more eyes will
be watching.
Brooke DenmarkBrooke DenmarkBrooke DenmarkBrooke DenmarkThe Truth Commission vs. the
True Commission: a report from
Witness for Peace in Honduras
(March 2011)
Honduras
Working Grouphttp://lacsn.weebly.com/
honduras.html
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A C T I O N : SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND TO CANADIAN GOVERNMENT
Dear Sir/Madam,
Over the last few days we have received disturbing information about increased human rights violations against teachers, students and
peasant organizers in Honduras. It has been brought to our attention that the Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared in
Honduras (COFADEH) has made an urgent call to the international community to demand that the regime of current President, Porfirio
Lobo, cease its repression and continued criminalization of peaceful protests taking place in Honduras. Listed below are examples ofsome recent human rights violations that require your immediate attention.
On March 28, 2011:Explosives were thrown at office of the non-governmental Commission of Truth in San Pedro Sula at2:10pm. In the offices there were two Canadians that have been participating as international observers to the on-going efforts
of the commission. Also present was the Regional Coordinator, Attorney Brenda Mejia, who had recently participated in the
Criminalization of Social Protest hearing of the CIDH in San Pedro Sula (Friday, 25 March), held by lawyers in opposition to the
current regime.
On March 28, 2011:Miriam Miranda, an important Resistance leader and coordinator of OFRANEH (Organizacin FraternaNegra de Honduras) was injured and then detained during a highway blockade. She was in custody in Tela facing charges of
sedition and blocking a public roadway.
On March 26, 2011: Jaime Donaire, coordinator of the National Front of Popular Resistance (FNRP) in the municipality of Minasde Oro in the province of Comayagua, was assassinated by armed men.
On March 22, 2011: Police launched tear gas bombs into the building, which houses the offices of the secondary schoolteachers union, COPEMH, and the non-governmental Truth Commission.
On March 21, 2011: When protests were resumed, police directly aimed tear gas canisters at staff of TV Globo and Channel 36who were trying to record and report on police actions.
On March 18, 2011: Ilse Velasquez, a teachers union activist and a member of COFADEH since her brother Manuel Velazquezwas disappeared, was killed during ferocious police repression against a protest by educators in Tegucigalpa. The 59 year old
teacher lost consciousness after a tear gas canister fired by the riot police struck her forehead.
On March 18, 2011: Military and police forces occupied the offices of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Honduras(COPEMH Spanish acronym) holding more than 30 teachers hostage.
On March 17th: In the cities of Tegucigalpa, Comayagua, and Danl, police, as well as men in civilian clothing driving carswithout license plates, repressed peaceful demonstrations of teachers and members of the National Front of Popular
Resistance (FNRP). According to a preliminary report, as many as 50 people were detained, wounded, and beaten in those
demonstrations.
COFADEH has reported that from January 2010 to January 31, 2011 a total of 1,658 Human Rights violations
The specific context in which these human rights violations and intimidatory acts are taking place, along with the general climate of
insecurity for human rights defenders in Honduras, alert us to the existence of a state policy of repression directed towards popular
opposition movements in Honduras. We are further concerned that human rights violators in Honduras, using a historically
documented tactic, are choosing this current period when international attention is focused on crises taking place elsewhere, particularly
in Libya, to dramatically increase levels of repression and rights violations.
Considering the above-mentioned cases, numerous previous denouncements, and that Canada is currently negotiating a Free Trade
Agreement with Honduras, we as Members of Civil Society Organizations from Canada, call on the Canadian Government to;
Demand that the Honduran government take immediate action to protect the rights of civil society in Honduras, particularlyand urgently for those examples listed above.
Ensure the all the points outlined in the accord set out by the popular movement in Honduras in order to reinstate Hondurasback to the OAS are fully met as per the Cartagena de Indias Accord (with special emphasis on the respect for Human Rights in
Honduras)
Sincerely,
[Enter here your name and contact info]
For an electronic version of this letter please visithttp://lacsn.weebly.com/honduras.html
Or email us: [email protected]