Latin American teachers demand to reinstate democratic rule in Honduras

[Judi Lynn]

2010-06-16
Latin American teachers demand to reinstate democratic rule in Honduras

Meeting with the EI Regional Committee for Latin America in the Dominican Republic, where he lives in exile, Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, ousted president of Honduras, thanked teachers from all over Latin America and the world for their support.

Forced from his elected position and his homeland by a coup d’état in June 2009, Zelaya Rosales told the leaders of Latin American education unions assembled in Santo Domingo: "The neo-liberal model that perhaps may work in highly developed economies is not at all a suitable model for many low income countries, such as Honduras, which have not even succeeded to meet the most basic social needs, such as education and healthcare. I have refused to abide by the 'Washington consensus' and to accept the harsh conditions the international financial institutions were trying to impose on us."

He highlighted the fact that the accusation that he had not respected the Honduran constitution held no ground, and that he was illegally removed from his elected position. EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen said that Education International had strongly condemned the coup d’état, and that EI would help strengthen its member organizations in Honduras, which have mobilized the teaching profession in support of the reinstatement of democratic rule in their country. Since the ousting of Mr. Zelaya, repressive measures have been taken against the teachers’ organizations, while serious violations of human rights have been reported, including the killing of eight teachers.

The Regional Committee adopted a statement in support of the struggle for democracy in Honduras, reaffirming a resolution adopted by the Latin American Regional Conference held in Sao Paulo in September 2009.

http://www.ei-ie.org/en/news/show.php?id=1284&theme=rights&country=honduras

[DutchLiberal]

1. The 'neo-liberal model' doesn't work in developed countries either, Mr President...

At least not for the regular people, but I'm sure the richest 1% is doing fine because of it.

Fred van Leeuwen? I wonder if he has Dutch roots.