From: mmmsrnb@igc.apc.org
Dear friends,
I've just returned from a brief visit to Honduras, where the situation
regarding Indigenous peoples is really heating up. The attached open
letter, signed by an inter-denominational grouping of our U.S.-born
colleagues from the WRL and FOR, explains the situation in detail and gives some strong suggestions for immediate response. Please review it quickly and carefully, and document whatever actions get taken, so that the folks in Honduras can know what international support is being conducted on their behalf.
In Peace, Matt Meyer
(Convener, WRI Africa Working Group; member, WRI Latin America Working Group)
To: All Interested in the Indigenous Situation in Honduras:
From: Laura Harms, International Solidarity Coordinator,
Confederation of Autochthonous Peoples of Honduras
laura@conpah.sdnhon.org.hn
Date: 9 August, 1997
Dear Friends,
We are sending an open letter regarding the indigenous struggle in
Honduras. Please circulate it as widely as possible.
Please let us know:
a) if you are interested in receiving a daily bulletin on this issue,
b) e-mail addresses of anyone else who may be interested in receiving
information,
c) if you want to be completely removed from our database,
d) our www address is: www.ibw.com.ni/~cgenica
The webmaster has been on vacation, so if anyone can help us
put information on the Internet, please let us know.
You can reach us at: laura@conpah.sdnhon.org.hn
Thank you for your efforts. Your support goes a long way toward
helping resolve the situation faced by the indigenous people in
Honduras.
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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONDURAS
SYMBOLIC THREE DAY FAST CALLED BY NORTH AMERICANS
TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS HUNGER STRIKERS
"Un Indio Sin Tierra Es Un Indio Muerto," reads the placard attached to the Honduran Congress building's wall. "An Indian Without Land Is A Dead Indian," written in bold blue letters, colors evocative of the Honduran flag. In front lie 16 indigenous people, thin and pale, on a hunger strike provoked by the Honduran government's refusal to comply
with its own promise of turning over land to Maya Chorti in western Honduras. Thousands of indigenous occupied the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa in May of this year to win assurances of land and security in their regions. Unfortunately, three months after the accord was signed, the twenty-two hard-fought government promises have been almost entirely unfulfilled. Nor is this the first time that the government has not complied with accords reached with the indigenous. Earlier agreements have an equally dismal track record.
The difference this time is that a "permanent resistance" of indigenous have installed themselves in the capital to press for recognition of their human rights and the ultimate fulfillment of the agreement.
AS UNITED STATES CITIZENS LIVING IN HONDURAS, WE FULLY SUPPORT THE
JUST DEMANDS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. As part of our continuing solidarity with their struggle, we are circulating this letter throughout the global community to inform others of the injustices indigenous people in Honduras face. Additionally, some of us have decided to publicly or privately fast during three days, August 11- 13. The fast, while symbolic, is a sign of our seriousness and our
preparedness to make future sacrifices in support of the Honduran indigenous struggle.
WE ASK THAT YOU CARRY OUT ONE OF THE ACTS OF
SOLIDARITY LISTED ON THE LAST PAGE OF THIS LETTER.
Our solidarity is urgently requested by the eight indigenous and black peoples in Honduras--Chorti, Lenca, Pech, Tolupan, Miskito, Tawhaka, Garifuna and Black English-speaking Creoles. These communities have suffered many abuses: loss of land, discrimination, lack of basic governmental services such as medical attention or education, early death brought on by extreme poverty, the violent assassinations of their leaders and centuries-long repression.
The current struggle centers around three modest and necessary demands: access to ancestral land, improved security and an end to human rights abuses. "The 22,000 acres promised to the Chorti in the western departments of Copan and Ocotopeque must be delivered" states Marcos Antonio Gutierrez, a Chorti leader. "After having missed four deadlines, the last on July 14th, the government has yet to return even one acre of land to the Chorti people." The concentration of productive land in the hands of wealthy families has left many of the original holders without enough land to support and feed their families. These families have used their political and economic power to avoid effective land reform in the region.
Secondly, indigenous leaders demand that security be improved in their regions. The May pilgrimage which commenced the current round of protests was named in honor of martyred Chorti leader Candido Amador. Candido was assassinated earlier this year while pressing for recognition of rights and land reform in indigenous areas. He joins a growing list of Lenca, Chorti, Garifuna and other leaders who have been killed during this decade -- fifteen during the current term of President Reina. Levels of violence, repression and tension in Copan
and Ocotepeque are particularly high. Numerous indigenous leaders have received death threats, heavily armed vigilante squads have been patrolling the area and in recent weeks caravans of wealthy landowners have driven by the homes of indigenous leaders, videotaping them from behind heavily tinted car windows. Indigenous leaders fear for their lives, while wealthy landowners and cattlemen arm themselves with AK47 machine guns and other high caliber weapons. "The problems of security in Copan and Ocotepeque are increased by close ties between wealthy landowners and the military, as is true throughout Honduran indigenous regions." claims Gerard Yanez, a Lenca leader. While calling for increased security in the affected regions and increased patrolling, indigenous leaders have also pressed the government to conduct a full investigation into the possible involvement of military members in the assassination of Candido Amador. "More than four months have passed since Candido's murder and the government does not
seem serious about the investigation," states Yanez. "However, it is essential that we receive the necessary information to bring these brutal assassins to justice."
The third important demand that indigenous people across Honduras are making is that the government respect their human rights and treat them with dignity. In 1994 the Honduran Congress ratified Covenant 169 of the International Labor Organization of the United Nations. It became Honduran law the following year. This agreement recognizes the unique human rights of indigenous people in the world and calls upon governments to take specific actions to respect and protect these
rights. For instance, Article 14 of this document requires that Honduras guarantee and protect the land rights of indigenous peoples,
while Article 12 states that Honduras must protect indigenous people against violations of their human rights. Berta Caceres, a Lenca leader declares, "Even though the Covenant 169 of the ILO is now Honduran law, it has not been enforced in any way. Land rights and human rights violations continue." In signing the May agreement with indigenous leaders, President Reina and his administration once again promised to comply with Covenant 169.
The indigenous "permanent resistance" arrived in Tegucigalpa on July 18, 1997. Many different non-violent actions have taken place since then calling for government compliance with the May agreement and with unfulfilled agreements signed in July 1994, July 1995, and July 1996 leading to the present hunger strike. Unfortunately these actions do not take place free of the threat of violence. The May protesters were violently and forcefully removed when attacked by over 2,000 soldiers before dawn during its eighth day in front of the Presidential Palace. Hunger strikers asking for political asylum in the Costa Rican embassy were also violently removed after the first four days of their hunger strike. As this letter is written, threats of another violent forced removal remain. Because of this, Indigenous leaders are shocked that President Carlos Roberto Reina, who on each occasion has sent the soldiers, recently received a human rights award at the American University in Washington. As U.S. citizens and human
rights observers in Honduras, we too are saddened by the American University's choice. Demonstrators who have arrived in the capital by the hundreds and thousands have remained nonviolent.
As North Americans living in Honduras, our hope and objective is to support the valiant efforts of indigenous people in Honduras as they
organize to defend their rights. It is not our role or intention to dictate to the Honduran people what measures their government should
take. We have supported the indigenous struggle during the past several years--providing support during the pilgrimages, helping during health brigades, technical assistance in forming community gardens; functioning as international observers during the violent evictions, etc. Two of us were nominated by indigenous leaders to form part of the Commission of Guarantors, a commission the government recognized and whose role is to guarantee the fulfillment of the May agreement. With another violent eviction always possible, indigenous leaders have asked us to increase public awareness of their cause in the United States and other countries.
Date: August 9, 1997
Signed,
Laura Harms, Mennonite volunteer
Paul Jeffrey, Latin American Press
Nancy Jodaitis, War Resisters League
Michael Marsh, San Carlos Foundation, former staff WRL
Anne Marie Sorenson, Presbyterian volunteer
Andres Thomas Conteris, Christian Commission for Development
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WE URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HELP DEFEND
INDIGENOUS HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONDURAS.
What you can do to help the indigenous struggle in Honduras:
1. Fax Honduran President Carlos Roberto Reina at
011-504-34-4947or write him immediately at the "Casa Presidencial, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Central America." Tell him that you are concerned about the health and safety of indigenous people in
Honduras. Ask him to comply with the international standards set forth in Covenant 169 of the I.L.O. and with the agreements that he has signed with indigenous leaders. Letters in Spanish or English are welcome.
2. On Wednesday, August 13, or on a day locally convenient, establish a presence at the Honduran Embassy in Washington, a Honduran consulate or at an appropriate location in your town or city. Distribute this open letter or write your own leaflet. Educate the public as to what is happening in Honduras.
3. During the three-day symbolic fast, and in the days that follow,
reflect on the crisis in Honduras and how you might further support the indigenous struggle. Take actions that you are comfortable with: reflection and prayer; witness; speak at your school, church, community group, or peace and justice organization; fast for all or part of the three days. Spread the word among your friends and human rights organizations so that they take actions of support as well.
4. Fax or write letters of support to the indigenous coalition organizing the current struggle: Confederacion de Pueblos Autoctonos de Honduras (CONPAH), Apdo. Postal 20-585, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Tel/fax: 011-504-25-49-25. E-mail: conpah@conpah.sdnhon.org.hn
5. Stay in communication with us. Nancy Jodaitis, Michael Marsh,
Laura Harms, Apdo. Postal 4371, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
FAX: 011-504-25-4925 E-mail: nancy@vp.sdnhon.org.hn
and laura@conpah.sdnhon.org.hn
