DIVEST HONDURAS

The Honduran government has killed dozens of peaceful protesters since the controversial election at the end of 2017.

The videos linked to this site illustrate an important point: flagrant human rights abuses by a country’s security forces can damage its economy.     

​   
 Raise your voice for those who in raising theirs are beaten, jailed, or shot.


 1) Call for an end to U.S. funding for the Honduran security forces

 ACTION: If your member of Congress has not supported the Berta Caceres Act, call or email his/her   office and ask for that support. The congressional switchboard can connect you to the office:  (202)   224-3121 To locate your Member on-line: U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.gov. 



 2) Tell your friends and contacts about the situation in Honduras

 ACTION: Join our Tweet Storm as we make periodic calls for justice for those killed while protesting for   the right to free and fair elections. Follow us on Twitter at @FPIF.



 3) Call for an end to international finance institute loans to Honduras meant   to support industries that are damaging the social fabric, displacing   communities, and destroying the environment.

 As Global Witness writes in its 2017 report, “Almost 90 percent of the Inter-American Development   Bank’s loans to Honduras are to finance energy, trade, and modernization. . . .Given the current   context of corruption and human rights abuses, it would be irresponsible for foreign companies to   increase operations in the Honduran industries at the center of violations against activists, namely   mining, hydroelectric, logging, agribusiness, and tourism.”    

 ACTION: Write to the International Finance Corporation, which is the private investment wing of the   World Bank. Send a copy of your letter to: 

 International Finance Corporation Chief Executive Officer Phillipe LeHouerou: plehouerou@ifc.org
 
 State Department Desk Officer Olivia Franken: FrankenOM@state.gov


​
SAMPLE LETTER



Dear Mr. LeHouerou:

Human rights conditions in Honduras have worsened dramatically in the last 6 months. Honduran security forces repeatedly opened fire on protesters in December and January, wounding scores and killing at least 30. Although some were shot in the back while fleeing, and at least 7 were killed with a shot to the head--prompting the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights to suggest these were extrajudicial executions--no member of the security forces has been suspended, investigated, or held accountable. At least 20 protesters remain in prison, arrested after expressing dissent about a presidential election that was widely considered fraudulent.

Emboldened, government forces have continued to repress protests, including those carried out in the countryside against megaprojects imposed without the consent of the communities affected. Members of the Military Police of the Public Order opened fire in January on a group protesting the construction of a dam in Reitoca, Francisco Morazan.  Two people suffered gunshot wounds. In April, an attorney defending the mayor of a community in the township of Arizona that has rejected the imposition of a dam on the Jilamito River was shot to death in his office.

Far from guaranteeing human rights, the government of Honduras allows, facilitates, or executes violations of human rights. Until justice has been obtained for those killed while exercising their right to free expression, free assembly, and the protection of their cultural, social, and environmental rights, and until the Honduran government can guarantee such violations will not be repeated, the IFC must suspend investment in high-risk projects in Honduras and review investments by their financial intermediaries in such projects.

Best regards,