[HNA] Human rights defender needs protection: Gladys Lanza

[Proyecto Hondureño]

Document - Honduras: Human rights defender needs protection: Gladys Lanza

UA: 170/10 Index: AMR 37/012/2010 Honduras Date: 4 August 2010

*URGENT ACTION*      *   HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER NEEDS
PROTECTION
*A Honduran human rights defender has received a threatening email message
and a series of anonymous phone calls. Amnesty International believes that
her life may be in danger.

On the evening of 17 July, *Gladys Lanza*, Coordinator for the Visitación
Padilla Pro-Peace Women’s Movement (Movimiento de Mujeres por la Paz
Visitación Padilla) received an email with the subject: “Hello old
whore!!!”(Hola vieja puta!!!). Part of the email said: “…Now we’re coming
for you, you stupid old woman!!! […] Billy Joya Amendola renewed.” (Ahorita
te caemos, vieja ignorante!!! […] Billy Joya Amendola renovado). Many people
in Honduras are fearful of Billy Joya, due to his reported activities with
the 3-16 Battalion, a Honduran military intelligence unit which committed
human rights violations in the 1980s. Six photographs were attached: an
image of Billy Joya, a kitten holding a sniper rifle, a bizarre funeral
procession led by men in prisoners’ uniform, a watch with the time at 10.12,
and two photographs of Gladys Lanza. Three hours before, Gladys Lanza had
taken part in a radio programme produced by the Committee of Relatives of
the Disappeared in Honduras (Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos
en Honduras, COFADEH), where she condemned the resurgence of militarism in
Honduras and plans for the US government to establish new military bases in
Honduras. During the programme, where different guests talked on the same
subject and also mentioned general human rights issues in Honduras, a text
message was sent to the programme: “You communists are the ones who deserve
a kicking for being liars.” (Ustedes comunistas son los que kieren patadas
por mentirosos).

Throughout June, Gladys Lanza received four separate calls to her mobile
phone, where all she could hear was heavy breathing. Calls from the same
number continued throughout July, but Gladys Lanza stopped answering.

On 24 July 2009, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
called on the Honduran authorities to protect Gladys Lanza. This order has
not been adequately implemented by the Honduran authorities. Commitments to
hold regular meetings with Gladys Lanza and to organize police patrols
around the Visitación Padilla office have not been fulfilled, leaving Gladys
Lanza in danger.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own language:

   -

   Calling for an independent, thorough and impartial investigation into the
   threats and harassment against Gladys Lanza;


   -

   Urging that the authorities take immediate steps to fully comply with the
   IACHR order of 24 July 2009. The form of protection provided to Gladys Lanza
   must be agreed with her and reflect her own wishes;
   -

   Reminding the authorities that human rights defenders have a right to
   carry out their activities without any unfair restrictions or fear of
   reprisals, as set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.


PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 15 SEPTEMBER 2010 TO:

President

Sr. Porfirio Lobo Sosa

Presidente de la República

Casa Presidencial

Boulevard Juan Pablo Segundo

Palacio José Cecilio del Valle

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Fax: + 504 239 3298

Salutation: Dear President


Attorney General

Sr. Luis Alberto Rubí

Fiscal General de la República

Lomas del Guijarro, Avenida República Dominicana

Edificio Lomas Plaza II

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

*Fax:* *+ 504 221 5667*

Salutation: Dear Attorney General


And copies to:

NGO

Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras (COFADEH)

Barrio La Plazuela, Avenida Cervantes, Casa No. 1301

Apartado Postal 1243

Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS

Fax: +504 220 5280 (say “tono de fax por favor”)

*Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your
country.*Check with your section office if sending appeals after the
above date.

URGENT ACTION

*HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER NEEDS PROTECTION*
Additional Information

The Visitación Padilla Pro-Peace Women’s Movement (Movimiento de Mujeres por
la Paz Visitación Padilla) is a human rights organization which works to
promote and defend women’s rights. Visitación Padilla was one of the many
Honduran women’s organizations to play an active and visible role opposing
the June 2009 coup d’état.

In October 2009, the radio programme “Entre Chonas”, produced by Visitación
Padilla, was cancelled by the management of the radio station which
transmitted it. The management stated that the broadcasts violated an
emergency presidential decree issued by the de facto government since they
"failed to promote peace” and “discredited” the November 2009 electoral
process.

On 9 March 2010, members of Visitación Padilla were on their way to an event
they had organized for International Women’s Day, to protest at the killing
of women in Honduras and the impunity which frequently surrounds such
crimes. At 12 pm, a member of Visitación Padilla parked the organization’s
car outside their office while she went inside to collect the materials and
equipment needed for the event. When she and her colleagues came back to the
car and drove off at 12.30 pm, they noticed that there was a problem with
the car. When they took it to a mechanic he told them that one of the tyres
had been deliberately cut.

Many people in Honduras are fearful of Billy Joya, due to his reported
activities with the 3-16 Battalion, a Honduran military intelligence unit
which was charged with the task of targeting political suspects and carrying
out their abduction, detention, torture and murder in the 1980s.

UA: 170/10 Index: AMR 37/012/2010 Issue Date: 4 August 2010
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