March, 03 2010, 01:13pm EDT
Honduras: Investigate Attacks on Coup Opponents
Honduran authorities should ensure that recent killings and other
attacks on opponents of the 2009 coup are promptly and thoroughly
investigated, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi.
Human Rights Watch has received credible reports of multiple acts of
violence over the past month targeting members of the National Popular
Resistance Front (Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular), including
killings, rape, torture, kidnapping, and assault.
WASHINGTON
Honduran authorities should ensure that recent killings and other
attacks on opponents of the 2009 coup are promptly and thoroughly
investigated, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Attorney General Luis Alberto Rubi.
Human Rights Watch has received credible reports of multiple acts of
violence over the past month targeting members of the National Popular
Resistance Front (Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular), including
killings, rape, torture, kidnapping, and assault. Threats reportedly
received by victims and comments allegedly made by the assailants
suggest that these abuses may have been politically motivated.
"Without a thorough investigation to identify who committed the
crimes, to establish motive, and to hold those responsible to account,
these events could generate a chilling effect that would limit the
exercise of basic political rights in Honduras, including the rights of
freedom of association and freedom of expression," the letter said.
Human Rights Watch is one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.
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