Honduras: Arrrest Warrant Prevents Delegate Attending World Women’s Conference

[Judi Lynn]

Honduras: Arrrest Warrant Prevents Delegate Attending World Women’s Conference

Brussels, 16 October 2009 (ITUC Online): The ITUC firmly condemns the measure taken by the de facto government of Honduras which has prevented Deysi Felipa Ibarra from attending the ITUC’s First World Women’s Conference, taking place in Brussels on 19 to 21 October, attended by over 400 delegates from all continents.

An arrest warrant issued by the de facto Government’s Prosecutor’s Office has prevented Deisy Ibarra, assistant general secretary for the rural workers’ union and women’s officer of the General Workers’ Centre of Honduras (CGT), from leaving the country. The warrant follows her participation in the peaceful occupation of the National Agrarian Institute (INA) which led to charges of “sedition”.

The ITUC has followed the dispute at the INA closely, in particular the violent expulsion of 55 members of the three principal Honduran rural workers’ organisations occupying the premises and their imprisonment under extremely harsh conditions. It expresses its solidarity with all the rural workers involved.

The ITUC deeply regrets the absence of the sister from Honduras from this important ITUC World Women’s Conference, particularly at this difficult time for Honduras.

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article4527