[HNA] State Terrorism against the resistance movement contradicts discourse of reconciliation

[Tom Loudon]

*State Terrorism against the resistance movement contradicts discourse 
of reconciliation *
*          *
Feb. 5, 2010 COFADEH
 
The state terrorism which has been implemented since June 28, 2009 
against the people of Honduras in the form of selective crimes, 
political persecution and other human rights violations contradicts the 
discourse of reconciliation and the installation of a Truth Commission. 
 
For the Committee of the Families of the Detained and Disappeared of 
Honduras, (COFADEH), the current regime is seeking to clean up an image 
that has been flooded with blood and terror by presenting itself as a 
government of reconciliation to the international community.
 
However, this is not reality.  As wine is sipped in elegant hotels, the 
story of those who carried out the coup is heard and of those who now 
carry out their orders regarding the establishment of a Truth 
Commission.  Outside, there are kidnappings, assassinations and the 
refinement of perverse strategies to dismantle the resistance which has 
been sustained since the coup d'état and advances in its objective of a 
National Constituent Assembly in order to draft a new Constitution.
 
Every effort is being made to white wash the coup d'état.  Last week, an 
amnesty was approved that is a monstrous maneuver to cover the crimes of 
those who responsible for human rights violations.
 
There is a dire situation in the country in terms of human rights 
violations. The following cases are just a sample of the emergency that 
we are living with respect to fundamental rights: 
 
Feb. 2, 2010 -- Two young cameramen, Manuel de Jesus Murillo Varela and 
Ricardo Rodriquez were temporarily kidnapped by police officers dressed 
as civilians and taken to a clandestine jail.  They were hooded and lost 
consciousness due to asphyxiation.  They were threatened with having 
their toes and then heads cut off if they did not respond to questioning 
regarding arms and money.
                                                                                                       

The same evening, members of the resistance, Ariel Lobo and Ricardo 
Dominquez, were captured by preventative police and taken to the Manchen 
station.  They were also interrogated regarding the possession of arms. 
In August of 2009, Ariel Lobo was the victim of a kidnapping attempt on 
the part of the army and heavily armed men in civilian dress.
 
Feb. 3, 2010 -- Vanessa Zepeda, a 29 year old nurse, active member of 
the resistance and union organizer, left her home at 2pm.  Her body was 
later dumped out of a vehicle in the Loarque neighborhood between 6:30 
and 7pm.  Vanessa was the mother of three children; the youngest is 4 
months old.
January, 2010 -- Blas Lopez, a teacher and leader of the Pech ethnic 
group, was murdered in the village of Carbonal.  He was an active member 
of the resistance.
 
Crimes and persecution against the peasant of the Unified Movement of 
the Aguan, MUCA, continued.
 
In addition, the Security Minister, Oscar Alvarez in collaboration with 
Public Ministry officials, continues to carry out early morning searches 
of homes that are a violation of human rights.
 
COFADEH demands that the international community remain steadfast in the 
struggle against impunity and not be deceived.  We ask that you continue 
to accompany the people of Honduras in our search for freedom, justice 
and truth.
 
(translated by the Quixote Center)
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://hondurasresists.org/pipermail/announce_hondurasresists.org/attachments/20100208/fcbd4cd3/attachment.html>