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<div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Alexy Lanza</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:alexyjlanza@yahoo.com">alexyjlanza@yahoo.com</a>></span><br>Date: Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 12:36 AM<br>
Subject: [Presente-Honduras] press release<br>To: Presente Honduras <<a href="mailto:presente-honduras@lists.mayfirst.org">presente-honduras@lists.mayfirst.org</a>><br>Cc: NALACC <<a href="mailto:nalacc-distribucion@googlegroups.com">nalacc-distribucion@googlegroups.com</a>>, Golpe de estado Honduras <<a href="mailto:crisis-en-honduras@googlegroups.com">crisis-en-honduras@googlegroups.com</a>><br>
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<td valign="top"><span><span title="nos gustaría
compartir con ustedes, la actividad que tendremos el dia de manana"></span><span title="Alexy Lanza"></span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)" title="nos gustaría compartir con ustedes, la
actividad que nosotros tendremos el dia de manana y tambien la carta que
nosotros mandaremos a la administracion de Obama, estaremos dejando una
copia en el consulado de honduras donde tendremos una conferencia de
prensa">We'd like to share, the activity that we will have the day tomorrow and also the letter that we will send to the Obama administration, we will be leaving a copy at the consulate of Honduras where we will have a press conference<br>
<br></span><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)" title="hacemos el llamado a que otras
organizaciones puedan mandarla y firmarla por su cuenta.">We call on other organizations to send and sign it on their own.<br><br></span><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)" title="gracias">thanks<br><br></span><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)" title="en Solidaridad">in Solidarity<br>
<br></span><span style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)" title="Alexy Lanza">Alexy Lanza</span></span><br><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="6"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 19px"><b><br></b></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><b>Press Release: </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><b>Honduras Human Rights Crises: </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><b>Jesuit Priest Recently on Tour in Chicago Receiving Death Threats.</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><b> </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><b>Chicago Organizations<span> </span>to Deliver Human Rights Complaint to the Honduran Consulate in Chicago:</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><b>April 20, 2010 -<span> </span>1p.m.<span> </span>- Honduran Consulate: 4439 West Fullerton</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For more information: Alexy J. Lanza (312) 656-8655</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An urgent communication from Radio Progreso in Honduras reports that Father Ismael “Melo” Moreno, Director of Radio Progreso, has received a new series of death threats over the last two weeks because of his work in human rights and in the communication media. Early in March, Father Melo toured the United States, including Chicago and Milwaukee, on a speaking tour highlighting the human rights crises in Honduras since military coup in June 2009 and especially since the installation of the Pepe Lobo government in January 2010. He also met with U.S. congressional representatives and government officials to ask that the U.S. not support the continuation of the coup through the new regimen of Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On April 15<sup>th</sup> the International Center for Justice and International Law submitted a letter to the Interamerican Human Rights Court requesting that the court mandate the enforcement of protective measures requested previously for Father Melo and an investigation of the new threats against the priest, Radio Progreso staff, and community members. The letter quotes from threatening text messages received by family members of one of the victims of multiple sexual and physical abuses by police who denounced the abuses on Radio Progreso. It also quotes the death threats received by Father Melo and Radio Progreso staff. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">These threats come when journalists in Honduras have been targeted for death-squad sytle repression. 5 journalists covering human rights abuses and government misconduct were murdered in the month of March alone. Since the Lobo government was installed at the end of January there have been…. murders of journalists, trade unionists, peasant organizers and other associated with continuing opposition to the coup d’etat. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week, organizations in Chicago joined more than 50 U.S. organizations in sending a letter to Pepe Lobo demanding and end to the violations of human rights and the military-police-paramiliary attacks on peasant communities in the region of Aguan in northern Honduras. On April 20<sup>th</sup> a copy of this letter, along with the new complaint regarding threats against Father Melo will be delivered to the Consul General of Honduras in Chicago. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Attachments: <span> </span>Letter to Porfirio Lobo - April<span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><span> </span><span> </span>Urgent Communiqué from Radio Progreso</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><span> </span><span> </span>Copy of letter to the Interamerican Human Rights Court</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> Letter to Obama and Clinton <br></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><b>La Voz de los de Abajo, Chicago - <a href="mailto:lavozchicago@yahoo.com" target="_blank">lavozchicago@yahoo.com</a></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX">***************************************************************************************<br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX"><br></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX">April 19, 2010</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX">President Barak Obama</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX">The White House</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX">Washington, D.C.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Sylfaen" lang="ES-MX"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Mr. President:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">We are writing to you and to the Illinois congressional delegation in response to urgent communications we have received from Honduras regarding death threats, murders and the use of military, police and paramilitary forces to intimidate opposition to the coup d’etat and the current regime in Honduras. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">On April 16<sup>th</sup> we received a communication from Radio Progreso in Honduras alerting us that </span><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldItalicMT">Father Ismael “Melo” Moreno, </span></i></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Director of Radio Progreso, has received a new series of death threats over the last two weeks because of his work in human rights and in the communication media. Early in March, Father Melo toured the United States, including Chicago highlighting the human rights crises in Honduras since military coup in June 2009 and especially since the installation of the Porfirio Lobo government in January 2010. He also met with White House and State Department officials and with U.S. congressional representatives ask that the U.S. not support the continuation of the coup through the new regimen of President Porfirio “Pepe” Lobo.</span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRomanPSMT"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRomanPSMT"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">On April 15th the International Center for Justice and International Law submitted a letter to the Interamerican Human Rights Court requesting that the court mandate the enforcement of protective measures requested previously for Father Melo and an investigation of the new threats against the priest, Radio Progreso staff, and community members. The letter quotes from threatening text messages received by family members of one of the victims of multiple sexual and physical abuses by police; these crimes were denounced by the victim on Radio Progreso. It also quotes the death threats received via text messages by Father Melo and Radio Progreso staff. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRomanPSMT"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRomanPSMT"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">These threats come when journalists in Honduras have been targeted for death-squad style repression. Five journalists covering human rights abuses and government misconduct were murdered in the month of March alone. Another was killed this month, and another, </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldItalicMT">Emilio Oviedo Reyes<b><i>,</i></b></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> a reporter at Channel 40 in Tocoa, Colon, Honduras, has begun receiving serious new intimidation and threats much like Fr. Melo. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Since the installation of the Lobo government, targeted assassinations and violent harassment have increased against journalists, trade unionists, small farmers and members of opposition groups. A recent example is the incursion by paramilitaries into the home of </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial-BoldItalicMT">Anselmo Romero<b><i>,</i></b></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> a leader of the non-violent democratic Popular Resistance in Lajas, Comayagua on Saturday, April 17, 2010. </span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRomanPSMT"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> Since the June 28, 2009 coup d’etat, Honduran and international organizations such as Amnesty International, and FIAN have documented many hundreds of human rights violations since. <span> </span>The violations have continued and have grown more violent since the elections and since the installation of Porfirio Lobo Sosa as president. On April 9, 2010 more than 50 U.S. organizations signed a letter to Porfirio Lobo protesting the use of military and police forces against small farmer communities in northern Honduras. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Under these conditions, normalization and reconciliation are empty phrases. <span> </span>For these reasons, we urge you to end aid and to withdraw U.S. recognition of the Porfirio Lobo government. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Sincerely</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Vicki Cervantes</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">for</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">La Voz de los de Abajo</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">4208 West 24<sup>th</sup> Place</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Chicago, Illinois</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: ArialMT">Cc: <span> </span></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Arturo Valenzuela, Deputy Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> <span> </span>Michael Posner, Deputy Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><span> </span>Porfirio Lobo Sosa via the Honduran Consul General in Chicago</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Attachments: <span> </span>April 9, 2010 Letter to Porfirio Lobo from U.S. organizations and translation</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><span> </span><span> </span>April 15, 2010 Letter to the Interamerican Human Rights Court and translation</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" lang="ES-TRAD"> </span></p><br><br>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><i><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt" lang="ES-TRAD"> </span></i></strong></p><br></td></tr></tbody></table><br> <br>_______________________________________________<br>Presente-honduras mailing list<br>
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