The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) strongly condemns the recent murder and arbitrary arrests of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists in Honduras. IGLHRC has learned that these human rights abuses have occurred as a direct result of the military coup on June 28, 2009, which ousted that country’s democratically elected government. The coup was apparently precipitated by now-exiled President Manuel Zelaya’s attempts to amend the constitution and seek an additional 4-year term in office after his original term expired in 2010.
“The recent coup in Honduras is an illegal assault on democracy that violates the rights of all Honduran citizens, including those who identify as LGBT,” said IGLHRC executive director Cary Alan Johnson. “We especially deplore the vicious murder and arbitrary arrests of LGBT people in the wake of this crisis.”
The transgender activist’s murder occurred on the night of June 29, 2009, after she went to work during the military-imposed two-night curfew. She was found dead in the morning of June 30, 2009, one block away from San Pedro Sula’s Gay Community Center, with two gunshot wounds: one through her head and one in her back. Local activists in Honduras claim she was killed by military police patrolling the streets. Representatives from Colectivo TTT/REDLACTRANS have protested the murder.
Five other LGBT activists—Hector Licona, Donny Reyes, Patrick Pavon, Claudia Cervantes and Lizeth Ávila—were arrested, detained and then beaten while in custody on June 29. The arrests occurred while the activists were participating in a demonstration in support of the democratically elected government. All of the activists are well-known public figures, known to be leaders in the LGBT movement.
Honduras has a checkered history on LGBT rights. IGLHRC contributed to a 2006 report about human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in Honduras. The report emphasized that the Honduran government engages in widespread discrimination against the LGBT community. It documented over 200 murders of transgender people and sex workers by state and non-state actors, as well as numerous incidents of police brutality. In 2007, IGLHRC issued an action alert after four transgender people were arbitrarily arrested and physically, verbally and psychologically abused in police custody.
“Human rights and fundamental freedoms are being challenged in Honduras in the aftermath of the coup,” said Marcelo Ferreyra, coordinator of IGLHRC’s Latin America and Caribbean Program. “Under such circumstances, there is always danger for those whose sexual orientation or gender identity does not conform to social norms. We ask for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Honduras.”
Comments
In Honduras it's really difficult to be a Gay or Lesbian, the majority of people are in the closet and can't have an open life.
With the assassination of the person in Honduras you have to consider that many of this activist are foreigners (Venezuelan and Nicaraguan) and they are committing acts of vandalism and then saying it was the military.
I'm not defending anything but everyone is refering and wanting the democracy and constitution to be restored, but it's already there, what Mel was doing was even more of a coup that this so called coup... changing the constitution is illegal read this article:
ARTICULO 239.- El ciudadano que haya desempeñado la titularidad del Poder Ejecutivo no podrá ser Presidente o Designado.
El que quebrante esta disposición o proponga su reforma, así como aquellos que lo apoyen directa o indirectamente, cesarán de inmediato en el desempeño de sus respectivos cargos, y quedarán inhabilitados por diez años para el ejercicio de toda función pública.
What says that the president that already has been at the head of the executive power can't be president or designated. and who tries to break this law or support that motion automatically ceases the charge.
In our constitution we don't have an Impeachment or anything for our presidents so it's really difficult to have the perfect solution for this mess... but we have to inform ourselves before making a statement.
With this, you are supporting Mel along with Chavez, and I don't think that in countries like Venezuela or Cuba they respect the Gays and Lesbians; so what I say is that condemn the way our people is treated (that has been since along time, way before this happened) and try to come up for a solution; instead of pointing people (if not, you are just like them)
What the new government is trying to do, is to maintain the order in Honduras, to keep it a democratic and free country.. not a socialist or communist like Chavez wants.
For your information Zelaya was removed CONSTITUTIONALLY by the Honduran Supreme court which issued his arrest warrant, and the National Congress which voted 122-6 for Micheletti who was the Head of their National Congress. Honduran army just carried out the arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court and demanded by the Attorney General........All this was done according to article 239 which states that just PROPOSING A CHANGE will cause your IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL so in essence what happened is Democracy at work, and Obama and the rest following him are wrong and WOULD LOSE in any court if it were possible to bring this to trial!!!!!!!!!
I doubt any acts against Gays is a result of this Removal of Zelaya if TRUE. They were probably murdered by some private citizen...20 Americans lost their lives in Honduras in 2008. Why would the NEW government fear gays? Who does?
For the guys who commented before:
We already know your rationalization of everything word by word. What do you have to say about the murders during curfew time?
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