Honduras: Use of Force Against Students and Human Rights Activists
Published: Sep 25, 2017 Reading time: 1 minute Share: Share an articleAt UNAH - National Autonomous University of Honduras - more than 500 police officers set up a blockade, during which several students as well human rights defenders from renowned NGOs, including ACI Participa, faced detentions and excessive use of force, while students were peacefully protesting past September 8.
This Monday, September 25, the students and human rights defenders are expected to be brought to the trial. People in Need expresses its support and call for an end to their persecution.
We are concerned over the ongoing prosecution and intimidation. We oppose the breach of the regulation established by UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. We are also concerned about the recent report from the UN, which confirms that Honduran human rights defenders suffer reprisals and harassment due to cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms.
Thus, we call on the Honduran government to stop imposing criminal charges that obstruct the work of human rights defenders and other civil society actors, and to recognize and protect freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
