Honduras: Human rights and rule of law at serious risk, warns Amnesty

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Amnesty International

Honduras: Human rights and rule of law at serious risk, warns Amnesty
Posted: 01 July 2009

Amnesty International today said that Honduran President Manuel Zelaya must be able to return to Honduras immediately, without conditions and safely.

Kerrie Howard, Americas Deputy director at Amnesty International, said:

'The forced removal of President Zelaya places human rights and the rule of law in serious danger.'

Amnesty fears that human rights activists and political activists who support or are seen to support President Zelaya may be arbitrarily detained in the context of the political turmoil and expressed concerns about their safety.

Kerrie Howard said:

'We would consider those detained because of their criticism of the forced removal and forced exile of President Zelaya as prisoners of conscience.'

Amnesty International is also concerned at reports suggesting that TV channels have been closed and restrictions placed on mass media communications, preventing people from learning about developments in their country.

Amnesty International urges the Honduran authorities to fully respect human rights and fundamental freedoms; to immediately release any government officials and political activists who may be currently detained; to refrain from further arbitrary detentions and to guarantee that political opponents and human rights defenders are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisal.

Background Information:

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was detained by Honduran military personnel and forced into exile. Several government ministers are also reported to have been detained. Roberto Micheletti, Congress speaker, has been sworn in as "Interim President". Mr Micheletti has imposed a two-night long curfew.

Read more: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18293

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Note: It was revealed today the curfew has been extended to Friday.

[JPZenger]

1. Rightwinger: Military defending the Constitution

I don't claim to understand the whole situation. Last night, I heard a rightwinger radio host say that the military was "defending the Constitution" by forcibly removing the elected President and installing their own leader. According to NPR, the elected Pres. wanted a referendum to allow him to run for re-election. The Supreme Court said the referendum was invalid, and the President said we will hold it anyway as a non-binding vote.

The President was a liberal. I'm sure that has nothing to do with it.

[SharonAnn]

3. The military are lying. Zelaya is "leftist", increased the minimum wage.

That and some other things made the wealthy ruling class, which controls the military, decide that they were "mad as Hell and not going to take it any more".

The right-wing wealthy in Honduras are just angry because others might get some opportunity to get ahead.

Can't have that, you know.

[David__77]

2. So many "progressives" are defending a fascist coup on this site and others.

It's utterly shameful, and revealing that there are real right-winger traitors hiding behind a liberal democratic mask.

[AlphaCentauri]

4. I always question the moral values of those so "progressives" n/t