Members of Indigenous Councils of Nueva Esperanza, San Isidro Labrador and Santiago Apostol
Activity
Territorial defense
Attacks experienced
Threats, harassment
Members of the Indigenous Councils of Nueva Esperanza, San Isidro Labrador and Santiago Apostol continue to be victims of harassment and threats from persons associated with the Mayor of Santa Elena, Santos Ventura, related to the ownership of the land where the communities exist.
According to information published by Front Line Defenders, last December 7, Ana Mirian Romero, Roberto Gómez, María Felicita López and Rodolfo Vasquez, received death threats. It is important to note that they have all been granted Precautionary Measures (MC589/15) by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
An alert has also been issued by the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders of Honduras regarding the fact that on Wednesday, December 14, community members were notified of a meeting convened by Governor René Melgar, the Mayor of Santa Elena and the director of the INA, Raúl Bulnes, with people belonging to the Indigenous Council of Santiago Apostol to inform them of plans to suspend the process initiated several years ago to form the El Volcan community, even though the government oficials have documentation stating that the area is national territory.
We, of IM-Defensoras, condemn the acts of harassment and threats against people who are exercising their legitimate right to defend their territory and demand that the government of Honduras comply with its obligation to guarantee the security of members of the communities of Nueva Esperanza, San Isidro Labrador and Santiago Apostol.
Likewise, we urge International organizations and institutions to stay abreast of the situation.