HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION POST-COUP UPDATE 3

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000589 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2019 TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI DS SNAR HO SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION POST-COUP UPDATE 3 REF: TEGUCIGALPA 584 Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Summary: The human rights situation in Honduran appeared to deteriorate over the weekend as two pro-Zelaya political organizers were killed, a dissident member of Congress reported that her home was raided, and 11 Venezuelan reporters were arrested and then strongly encouraged to leave the country. On July 12, the de facto regime lifted the curfew that had been in place since the coup and was seen by some as a means of stifling dissent. Human rights NGOs report that on July 13, the Supreme Court approved the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) June 30 request to enter Honduras and investigate alleged human rights violations. The Embassy continues to raise strong concerns over specific cases and the general deterioration of human rights publicly and in private meetings. End Summary -------------- Leftist Leaders Killed -------------- ¶2. (U) Press reported that Bloque Popular leader and Democratic Unification (UD) Party member Roger Bados, described as a 54-year-old militant leftist activist, was shot multiple times in the back and neck at his home in San Pedro Sula on the evening of July 11 by a group of masked individuals. Bados's niece and sister were also wounded in the gunfire. Press also reported that UD party member Ramon Garcia was forced at gunpoint out of a public bus in Santa Barbara and later killed by unknown assailants. -------------- Congresswoman Margarita Zelaya -------------- ¶3. (C) According to Margarita Zelaya, Liberal Party Congresswoman from Cortes Department and cousin of President Zelaya, her house was raided for the second time in recent weeks by soldiers. Zelaya, who is one of a group of Liberal members of Congress who have publicly denounced the June 28 coup and plan to travel to Washington next week to give their version of recent events, said she did not report the first instance out of fear. She said she was not informed of the reason for the raid and remains worried for her safety. Human rights NGOs have requested that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) add her name to its list of Hondurans for whom they demand "protective measures" be taken. -------------- Telesur Reporters Arrested -------------- ¶4. (U) Upon returning to their hotel just before the 11 p.m. curfew on July 11, eleven Venezuelan journalists from the "Telesur" TV network were arrested by 15 policemen on charges relating to owing payments on their rental car. The journalists were held until 3 a.m., when Venezuelan Ambassador Jose Armando Laguna intervened on their behalf. All eleven made official complaints with Human Rights Prosecutor Sandra Ponce July 12 and left the country as they had been advised to do by the police. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) These events are especially troubling as they appear to represent a deterioration in the human rights situation, from one weighted towards legislative and regulatory issues to more targeted, violent actions. Post will continue to raise alleged human rights abuses and specific cases with the Attorney General (on July 13, for example, the Ambassador sent a letter to the AG on Dr. Luther Castillo, a doctor and NGO activist concerned for his safety) , as well as liaise with human rights NGOs who have become the not only the promoters of human rights but also the protectors of human rights in the absence of impartial government institutions. End Comment. LLORENS