FAST DOWNLOAD
Defenders are calling for in-depth investigations that include both the perpetrators and the masterminds.
The recent murder of Juan López, an environmentalist in Tocoa, Colón, once again puts the spotlight on the responsibility of the Honduran State for not complying with the precautionary measures ordered by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).
The affected community, represented by the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Public Property and Communities of Tocoa , states that, despite having requested the implementation of an effective protection mechanism, the State did not act.
“Without a doubt, the State of Honduras has a clear responsibility here,” says Joaquín Mejía, a lawyer specializing in Human Rights .
The precautionary measures issued by the IACHR were not implemented, resulting in the tragic death of Juan López who was under international protection.
This situation has generated outrage among organizations and the community, who are now demanding not only justice, but also a thorough investigation that goes beyond the perpetrators of the crime.
Failure to comply with the measures and their consequences
The Tocoa Committee for the Defense of Common Goods presented a concrete proposal to the National Protection Mechanism to safeguard the lives of environmental defenders.
When a State fails to prevent these crimes, the second obligation is to investigate and punish all those responsible.
This includes the material and intellectual authors , as well as the officials who, by their omission, allowed the violence to take place, the lawyer points out.
Call for an international investigation
The Tocoa community, together with human rights organizations, express their distrust in Honduran judicial institutions, pointing out that in the past they have been responsible for criminalizing defenders and generating impunity around business activities.
They therefore demand the support of an international team to guarantee an objective investigation, similar to the efforts made by the IACHR in other serious cases in Latin America, such as that of Ayotzinapa in Mexico .
“We are asking for international support because we do not trust local institutions to obtain the truth about this murder,” said Joaquín Mejía.
The lack of action by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary , which should be the main guarantors of justice, leaves the community in a state of frustration and fear.
“We cannot allow this murder to go unpunished,” the protesters said.
More attacks?
Human rights activist Kenia Oliva warned that the government has a responsibility to ensure a thorough and public investigation into the killing, or she says more attacks could come.
“If all those responsible are not properly punished, this could mark the beginning of new attacks against other environmental defenders in the region,” Oliva warned.
The defender also stressed the importance of investigating the actors who, by not enforcing the law, allowed the presence of extractive companies in the area, which contribute to the conflict.
They demand justice and approval of the Escazú Agreement
Pedro Landa, also an environmental defender , points out that this tragic crime triggered demonstrations of solidarity in Europe, Latin America and the United States .
“A thorough and immediate investigation is required,” Landa said, stressing the Honduran government’s responsibility to clarify the facts.
Landa criticizes the image that Honduras has projected in the last decade, ranking it among the most dangerous countries for environmental activists.
“This must change,” he said, suggesting that the first step to honour the memory of López and other defenders is for the government to guarantee the right to defend human rights without fear of reprisals.
For Landa, the best way to honor the memory of Juan López and transform the reality of environmental defenders in Honduras is through the approval and implementation of the Escazú Agreement , a regional treaty that protects environmental defenders.
” President Xiomara Castro has had the agreement on her desk for more than a year, with the approval of more than 14 ministries, but she has not yet sent it to Congress,” she laments.
Despite a citizen petition and support from various organizations, the agreement remains stalled.
The environmentalist says that its approval is essential to reduce environmental conflicts and guarantee true citizen participation in decision-making that affects the environment.
“If we really want to honour Juan’s memory, we must approve the Escazú Agreement,” he concludes.
