A new report details the excessive use of force by Honduran police and military following the coup

Posted on: Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Keywords: Honduras, Latin America, Economic Justice, Peace Building

Today, Amnesty International released a new report detailing the excessive use of force by the Honduran police and military following the coup of President Zelaya.

From the report:

"Amnesty International is publishing this summary of findings to highlight serious human rights concerns which should be addressed as a matter of urgency. These concerns include the increasingly disproportionate and excessive use of force being used by the police and military to repress legitimate and peaceful protests across the country. Female protestors are particularly vulnerable and some women and girls taking part in the demonstrations are reportedly suffering gender based violence and abuse at the hands of police officers. At least two protestors have died as a result of gunshot wounds: nineteen-year-old, Isis Obed Murillo died on 5 July at Toncontín airport in Tegucigalpa, where protestors awaited the return of President Zelaya. On 1 August, 38- year- old teacher Roger Abraham Vallejo died in hospital as a result of injuries sustained from a bullet wound to the head, reportedly fired by police during the break up of the protest which took place in Tegucigalpa on 30 July 2009."

The Situation

A military coup in Honduras in June ousted the democratically elected president Manuel Zelaya the day of a scheduled referendum on increasing the presidential term limit. Presidents from across Latin America have denounced the actions of the right-wing Congress, courts and military in Honduras.

External Resources

Honduras: Human rights crisis threatens as repression increases
Amnesty International, August 19, 2009

Honduras expels Argentine envoy
BBC, August 19, 2009

Honduras charges Zelaya supporters with sedition
Kathia Martinez, Associated Press, August 15, 2009

Argentina expels Honduran ambassador for supporting coup
AFP, August 14, 2009

Honduran police clash again with Zelaya supporters
Reuters, August 12, 2009

Honduran coup shows business elite still in charge
Associated Press, August 6, 2009

In Honduras, Simon Says: 'End Your Coup'
Robert Naiman, Huffington Post, July 31, 2009

Breakdown of Honduras Mediation Means Stronger Pressures for U.S. to Act
Laura Carlson, Huffington Post, July 21, 2009

Honduras Talks Stall on Plan to Return President
Elisabeth Malkin, NYTimes, July 19, 2009

Never Again: Coups Against Democracy
AWID, July 10, 2009

Ban calls on regional bloc to find peaceful resolution to Honduran crisis
UN News Centre, July 6, 2009

Zelaya's jet blocked in Honduras
BBC, July 6, 2009

OAS SUSPENDS MEMBERSHIP OF HONDURAS
Organization of American States, July 5, 2009

Human rights experts join chorus of UN condemnation over coup in Honduras
UN News Centre, July 2, 2009

HONDURAS: Activists Decry Suspension of Fundamental Rights
Thelma Mejía, IPS, July 2, 2009

General Assembly condemns coup in Honduras
UN News Centre, June 30, 2009

Heavy military presence in Honduras after coup
CNN, June 29, 2009

Obama Has the Power and Responsibility to Help Restore Democracy in Honduras
Huffington Post, June 29, 2009

Honduras: Ban voices concern over reported coup
UN News Centre, June 29, 2009

To the Plenary Session on the Situation in Honduras
Miguel d'Escoto, Statement at UN, June 29, 2009

Leftist leaders rally around Honduran president
Reuters, June 29, 2009

Obama's First Coup d'Etat
Eva Golinger, NicaNet, June 28, 2009

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