#WHRDAlert HONDURAS / Criminalization of Carolina Castillo, defender of New Armenia territory and OFRANEH member.

Carolina Castillo is a Garifuna territorial defender, President of the Committee in Defense of the Land of the New Armenia community, and member of the Black Fraternal Organization in Honduras (OFRANEH).

The New Armenia community has been subjected to tremendous territorial pressure; its members have been criminalized by the State; and its lands have been the target of invasions, many of which have been fostered by organized crime. To date, competent authorities have not taken the necessary mesasures to resolve the conflict in keeping with international human rights standards.

On May 4, Carolina Castillo had to appear in court in La Ceiba to face charges for the alleged offense of land usurpation. This is not the first charge levied against the defender, who has also received death threats.

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