Day 31 of Honduran Coup Resistance
July 29, 2009, Alert #38
BELOW:

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“HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY” AT THE NICARAGUAN-HONDURAN BORDER REGION
By Karen Spring, in Tegucigalpa
An international mission has been formed involving both national and international human rights workers and journalists that are concerned of the “humanitarian emergency” that are occurring in the El Paraíso region close to the Nicaraguan-Honduran border.
The newly formed International Mission of Solidarity, Observation and Accompaniment to Honduras has met with various organizations including Committee in Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH), Committee of Families of the Detained and Disappeared (COFADEH) and Treatment and Rehabilitation of the Victims of Torture and their Families (CPTRT). The Mission has decided after one day of being formed to further investigate the variety of human rights violations that have been reported to be occurring at the border region.
“We have received documents that have given us enough information to make the decision to go to the zone where there is a humanitarian emergency to see what is happening there, what the military are hiding, what the police are hiding and the de facto government.”  
 After announcing their investigation at a press conference held yesterday in the office of COFADEH, participants denounced the reported violations being committed by the de facto Micheletti regime including almost many, the lack of food and water for Hondurans in the El Paraíso region, the imposed military curfew and roadblocks preventing free movement, and illegal detentions of protestors without judicial advice.
border_violence_1
One representative, Tom Kucharz from Spanish Ecologistas en Accíon/Transnational Institute, describes the need for more international solidarity and need to verify the situation at the border. “More international attention is needed here. The real information and truth is not being reported. Its necessary that there is a international presence that verifies what is happening ..  the media are fundamentally justifying the coup, they are not reporting what is really happening.”
Holding up pictures of a young 24 year-old boy, Pedro Muñoz, whose body was found in the community of Alauca, close to a military blockade, Nora Cortiñas of Madres de la Plaza de Mayo-Linea Fundadora denounced the repression and violence used by the military, mentioning that, “witnesses have said that the body [of Pedro Muñuz] shows signs and evidence of torture (see photos, http://www.honduraslaboral.org/leer.php/2050 - WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTO).
border_violence_2
An internationally known Honduran medical doctor and human rights activist known for his work with victims of torture, Dr. Juan Almendares has also spoken out recently of the use of repression and violence the military and police are using to “provoke the people.”
After visiting a detaining station in Danli (20 km?? from the border), Dr. Almendares described the experience of fifty-one people that were being detained, including Rafael Alegría, a well-known leader of the resistance movement, “There were almost forty people in a small room. This is another way to torture the people. It’s a horrible thing, forty people, where there is no space, no water, nothing. It was hell in general. They don’t give them legal counsel. They are putting children in prison; women cannot go to the bathroom. This is another way to terrorize the people.”
Without a way to enter the region, the International Mission and journalists are unable to know the severity of the situation. The media, who are largely pro-coup and Micheletti supporters, are not reporting what is actually occurring in the country.
 
The International Mission of Solidarity, Observation and Accompaniment to Honduras attempted yesterday to enter the border zone and pass through the military checkpoints. They have been denied entry but will try again in the days to come.
There is still a lot of hope for the struggle for justice and the return of President Zelaya. Hondurans have called a two-day national strike that begins tomorrow where it is projected that many people will take to the streets and protest against the de facto Micheletti regime.
According to Dr. Almendares, “I have spent many years in protests. I know well the mobilization of the people but I have never seen the force, the motivation, and the courage of the people like this. There is an extraordinary movement in this country.”
 
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EMERGENCY DELEGATION TO HONDURAS
August 2-9, 2009
RESPOND As Soon As Possible …
Dear friends,
Please Join an Emergency Delegation to Honduras!
Yesterday we received a request from social movements in Honduras for international accompaniment during this critical period. Starting next week, there are no international delegations scheduled to be in Honduras.
Last weekend, when there was a space between delegations, a social movement leader was murdered with signs of torture, and a bomb exploded in Tegucigalpa at a union headquarters  which is part of the National Front Against the Coup.
Social movement leaders are vulnerable and have asked for an emergency delegation to arrive this Sunday, to maintain an international presence and witness to events on the ground. The Quixote Center/Quest for Peace is committed to respond to this request.
Please consider participating in this Emergency Delegation to Honduras from August 2-9th. We are still working out details, but our partners on the ground in Honduras have begun planning, and will guarantee a schedule including meetings and activities as events unfold. The cost of the trip will include round trip airfare plus $700 for in country expenses. If you can join us in Honduras, please send an email to toml@quixote.org.
Thank you for your solidarity!
Tom Loudon
Quixote Center
Alliance for Responsible Trade
 301-699-0042 , toml@quixote.org
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WHAT TO DO
REPEATEDLY, AMERICANS AND CANADIANS SHOULD CONTACT YOUR OWN MEDIA, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SENATORS & MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, TO DEMAND:
an end to police, army and para-military repression
respect for safety and human rights of all Hondurans
unequivocal denunciation of the military coup
no recognition of this military coup and the ‘de facto’ government of Roberto Micheletti
unconditional return of the entire constitutional government
concrete and targeted economic, military and diplomatic sanctions against the coup plotters and perpetrators
application of international and national justice against the coup plotters, and
reparations for the illegal actions and rights violations committed during this illegal coup
TO DONATE FUNDS TO PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN HONDURAS, MAKE TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS TO “RIGHTS ACTION” AND MAIL TO:
UNITED STATES:  Box 50887, Washington DC, 20091-0887
CANADA:  552-351 Queen St. E, Toronto ON, M5A-1T8 CREDIT-CARD DONATIONS:  http://rightsaction.org/contributions.htm
Upon request, Rights Action can provide a proposal of which organizations and people, in Honduras, we are channeling your funds to and supporting.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:

See previous Honduras Coup Alerts at: www.rightsaction.org
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