September 18, 2024
CIVICUS mourns the assassination of environmental defender and community leader Juan López, of the Municipal Committee of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa (CMDBCPT). We stand in solidarity with his family, colleagues and community, and condemn his brutal murder.
Honduras is one of the most lethal countries in the world for those who defend land and environmental rights of communities against extractive projects. Bajo Aguán is one of the worst affected. At least four defenders linked to the struggle for the preservation of Guapinol River, upon which communities depend, have been murdered. Oscar Oquelí, Aly Domínguez and Jairo Bonilla were killed in 2023.
The latest victim Juan López was gunned down despite calls to ensure his safety. Along with 29 other activists, he had been granted protection by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights under resolution MC No.137-23, to safeguard their lives.
The crisis in Bajo Aguán is part of a protracted territorial conflict. Private companies and criminal groups continue to exploit natural resources, act with impunity and endanger the lives of local communities. The murder of Juan López is symptomatic of the alarming violence and impunity in Honduras. Time and again the government has failed to protect human rights defenders in the country.
The community of Guapinol and other communities in Tocoa continue to face intimidation and criminalisation for peacefully questioning the legality of a mining project in the Carlos Escaleras National Park. Lawyers and civil society supporting the activists are also being harassed.
We therefore urge the government of Honduras to:
- Impartially and promptly investigate the assassination of Juan López, in consultation with CMDBCPT members.
- Ensure that those responsible for the crime are brought to justice. Reparations must be provided for the victims.
- Urgently take required action to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Juan López relatives, members of the Municipal Committee of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa (Comité Municipal de Defensa de los Bienes Comunes y Públicos de Tocoa) and legal professionals of the Justice for the Peoples Law Firm (Bufete Justicia para los Pueblos). This is particularly urgent for the beneficiaries of the protective measures (MC No. 137-23) and their families.
-Take steps to prevent the occurrence of reprisals against environmental and human rights defenders, as well as the witnesses of this crime. The investigative capacities of law enforcement agencies and the ability of courts to ensure justice without delay to victims must be strengthened.
Civic space in Honduras is rated 'repressed' by the CIVICUS Monitor.
