Honduran and international human rights organizations last month sent a letter to the Honduran government expressing their support for the ongoing peaceful protests and hunger strikes. They are urging the government to listen to the message of the people and make the necessary structural changes that would improve quality of life and access to human rights for all.
Honduran human rights activist Gabriela Blen recently stated, “Social Security funds being used to finance political campaigns has been the catalyst for this movement.” Politicians spend lavishly, while public services and institutions have suffered greatly and 66% of the Honduran population lives below the poverty line.
Protests are occurring all over Mesoamerica including similar protests against corruption claims in Guatemala and protests against police brutality in Mexico. On July 31st 2015, human rights defender Nadia Vera Perez was raped and executed along with a journalist and three other women. Thousands have taken to the streets of Mexico to protest these brutal attacks on journalists and human rights defenders who are attempting to peacefully publicize the level of governmental corruption.
LEARN MORE
Declaration of Human Rights Organizations Fighting Against Impunity and Corruption, Centro de Derechos de Mujeres, 11 July 2015.
¡Basta Ya!: Demonstrators Fill Streets in Honduras, Grassroots International, 18 June 2015.
Honduras And Guatemala Anti-Corruption Protests Spur Hope For Change For The First Time In Decades, International Business Times, 3 August 2015.
Thousands Protest Torture-murder of Mexican Photojournalist and Four Women, Global Research, 6 August 2015.
TAKE ACTION
End international support for the corrupt and repressive Honduran government of Juan Orlando.
Canada: write to your Member of Parliament with this letter
United States: write to your Representative and Senator with this letter
United Kingdom: write to your Member of Parliament with this letter
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