Honduras: Stop Blocking Human Rights Inquiries

[Judi Lynn]

Honduras: Stop Blocking Human Rights Inquiries
International Community Should Back Prosecutors' Efforts, Oppose Amnesties for Abuses
October 16, 2009

(Washington, D.C.) – The international community should strongly back the efforts of prosecutors in the human rights unit of the Honduras Attorney General’s office to investigate army and police abuses in Honduras and to overturn a decree by the de facto government that severely restricts freedoms of speech and assembly, Human Rights Watch said today.

The organization also called on the international community to oppose any amnesty for human rights violations as part of the transition back to democratic rule. Deposed President Manuel Zelaya and the de facto government of Honduras are now engaged in negotiations about such a transition, and have announced that an agreement may be imminent.

Since the military ousted President Zelaya on June 28, 2009, the small human rights unit of the Office of the Attorney General has begun investigations into numerous cases of killings, alleged excessive use of force by security officials, and illegal and arbitrary detentions. The unit has also filed motions objecting to a decree limiting freedoms of the press and assembly, which the de facto government has used to bar two media outlets from broadcasting. But the unit has met with resistance from their superiors in the Attorney General’s Office as well as acts of obstruction, including direct threats, from members of the armed forces.

“If anyone questions the damage that the de facto government has done to Honduras’ democratic institutions it’s clearly illustrated by these cases,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. “And by obstructing the investigations, the public security forces are thumbing their noses at the rule of law.”

More:
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/16/honduras-stop-blocking-human-rights-inquiries

[Judi Lynn]

1. Damned wierd small bit of news: Late Return Honduras Players Ordered To Party

Late Return Honduras Players Ordered To Party

Wigan Athletic pair Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa along with Spurs player Wilson Palacios will be returning to the UK a day later than expected due to orders from the Honduras President Roberto Micheletti.

Following on from the sensational night of World Cup qualification the Honduras squad have been told that they must attend a celebration party in the nation`s capital Tegucigalpa at the invitation of Micheletti.

The country`s elected President Manuel Zelaya was overthrown in a military coup in June and Micheletti who took his place, is under pressure both internationally and at home and it appears that he has seized the World Cup triumph as an opportunity to try and gather some support amongst the public in Honduras and demanded that the players attend the celebration with him.

Thomas, Figueroa and Palacios were all due back in the UK today (Friday) but now will be arriving a day later meaning Wilson Palacios will definitely miss Spurs trip to Portsmouth on Saturday and it will be touch and go for both Hendry Thomas and Maynor Figueroa with the Latics playing Manchester City a day later on Sunday.

A philosophical Harry Redknapp, the Spurs boss told reporters: "We`ve got no choice but to go to Portsmouth without Wilson.

"There`s nothing he can do either. I guess when the President tells you to do something, you can`t do much about it."

http://www.wigan.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=173888

[rabs]

2. Some players refused to attend goriletti ceremony

this was yesterday when goriletti declared a national holiday in honor of the team. So even some of the players are against the golpista-in-chief and have lined up behind the pueblo.

Amado Guevara, the captain of the National Team, today left a signed team jersey to Mel Zelaya.

Guevara was at the airport to fly back to Europe where he plays. So he left the jersey with his mother who will give it to Pichu.