TFH01: HONDURAN POLICE ISSUE COMMUNIQUE REQUIRING

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001077 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM HO SUBJECT: TFH01: HONDURAN POLICE ISSUE COMMUNIQUE REQUIRING ADVANCE PERMISSION FOR PUBLIC GATHERINGS REF: A. TEGUCIGALPA 1067 ¶B. TEGUCIGALPA 1045 ¶C. TEGUCIGALPA 989 ¶1. (U) The Honduran National Police issued a communique on October 22, citing existing legal codes, and stating that all gatherings must be registered and approved by local authorities at least 24 hours in advance. The communique effectively takes the place of the decree issued September 26 and abrogated on October 17, placing limits on public gatherings without prior permission. While the laws empowering the police and local authorities to take these measures were in existence prior to the June coup, they had not/not been enforced for public gatherings. Their main application prior to today was in the case of noise complaints against neighborhood parties. ¶2. (U) Comment: The police gave no reason for issuing the communique other than that they are merely enforcing laws already on the books. Coming just five days after the abrogation of the controversial decree that had severely limited civil liberties and led to the forced closure of an anti-coup television station and radio station, the underlying message is clear: the de facto authorities will not tolerate demonstrations in opposition to their authority (See Reftels). End comment. LLORENS