[HNA] Fwd: How bad is it in Honduras?

[Kaveri Rajaraman]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amnesty International USA <alerts at takeaction.amnestyusa.org>
Date: Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Subject: How bad is it in Honduras?
To: Kaveri Rajaraman <krajaram at fas.harvard.edu>


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NOW!]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gtKTJ8PRLrI1LjK&s=kwJ1JjN7JlKUIgN2KvF&m=enJIJNOoFdJQH>
   An
ousted President. A disenfranchised population. An overthrown democracy.
Urge Secretary Clinton to ensure resolution to the political crisis and
prevent further human rights abuses in
Honduras!<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jmLZKhM3KuL8JtJ&s=kwJ1JjN7JlKUIgN2KvF&m=enJIJNOoFdJQH>

           Dear Kaveri,

Right now, we are witnessing *the biggest political crisis to rock Central
America in years*1, but the U.S. has moved at, what amounts to politically
as, a glacial pace.

Two months ago, *Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was removed from his home
at gunpoint* by 300 troops. He was forcibly put on a plane and has only
managed to step foot in his home country for roughly two hours since.

In the meantime, *a de facto government has assumed power*, violently
punishing all those who courageously speak out -- dealing a powerful blow to
democracy and human rights.

*Yesterday, President Zelaya arrived in Washington, DC* to meet with
Organization of American States (OAS) and U.S. State Department officials to
discuss plans for resolution. Tomorrow he is *scheduled to meet with
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.*

While the U.S. is finally poised to cut off nearly $150 million in military
assistance to Honduras2 and strengthen its restrictions on the country, *there
is still a major factor that has not yet been addressed.*
 [image: Protestor shows bruising left by police
batons]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=cpJLKWOBInKVL9L&s=kwJ1JjN7JlKUIgN2KvF&m=enJIJNOoFdJQH>
The people of Honduras *voted for a democratic government,* but in the most
undemocratic fashion possible, they are in danger of losing that right,
among many others. The *de facto* government has used its unchecked power to
conduct *mass arrests and police and military-sanctioned beatings* against
any vocal oppositional figures. The *U.S. must use President Zelaya's trip
to Washington to send a clear message* to coup leaders that abuse of human
rights and democracy in Honduras will not be tolerated.

Tell Secretary Clinton to push for accountability for the human rights
violations that have been committed by the *de facto*
government.<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=cfLLJXNtE5KDI0I&s=kwJ1JjN7JlKUIgN2KvF&m=enJIJNOoFdJQH>

Extreme instability and political unrest have *forced the people of Honduras
to take to the streets* in protest. Amnesty International researchers have
been on the ground since the coup took place and have documented widespread
police beatings<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fsIRJ6OFK8JKKaL&s=kwJ1JjN7JlKUIgN2KvF&m=enJIJNOoFdJQH>of
students, reporters, political leaders and other activists. Women and
media workers have been particularly vulnerable to the violence. We can only
expect that *the excessive use of police and military force will
intensify*unless order in soon restored.

In this instance where *political implications are huge* and the *human
rights impact is tremendous,* there is no time to waste. While *President
Obama's words* have added much-needed pressure to the debate -- labeling the
overthrow as illegal and recognizing the "terrible precedent" it would set
if unchallenged -- they *have not been enough* to end the ongoing crackdown
on human rights.

Right now, the Obama administration must take decisive action in order to
seek a negotiated solution and counter the damage that has already been
done.

Tell Secretary Clinton that you want to see human rights returned to the
people of Honduras.<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ilKXKfPRJbIRLkK&s=kwJ1JjN7JlKUIgN2KvF&m=enJIJNOoFdJQH>

The coup has already taken over political powers and human rights in
Honduras -- if the U.S. hasn't taken bold action to push for urgent
negotiations and a peaceful resolution of the crisis by now, then what more
will it take?

Sincerely,
Daniel, Kate, Zahir and the rest of the Central America Team


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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8124154.stm
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http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gnMGFpZDNYTDgJVPOpdveATHoZTg

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