Why Did the Honduran Army Fire on a Peaceful Protest?
Why Did the Honduran Army Fire on a Peaceful Protest?
By Larry Ladutke
July 26, 2013 at 12:26 PM
On July 15, the Honduran army fired on peaceful protesters from the Civic Council of the Indigenous and Popular Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). The gunfire killed COPINH leader Tomas Garcia, who also served as a deputy mayor in the region. The attack also seriously wounded his teenage son, Allan Garcia Dominguez. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has condemned this killing, which it has categorized as “murder.”
Every day since April, COPINH has held a peaceful march to protest the construction of a hydro-electric damn that they believe threatens their land. Like other indigenous communities, the culture and livelihood of the Lenca in Honduras is tied to their land. They argue that the authorities did not properly consult with the communities that would be effected by this project.
On July 15, the Honduran army fired on peaceful protesters from the Civic Council of the Indigenous and Popular Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). The gunfire killed COPINH leader Tomas Garcia, who also served as a deputy mayor in the region. The attack also seriously wounded his teenage son, Allan Garcia Dominguez. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has condemned this killing, which it has categorized as “murder.”
Every day since April, COPINH has held a peaceful march to protest the construction of a hydro-electric damn that they believe threatens their land. Like other indigenous communities, the culture and livelihood of the Lenca in Honduras is tied to their land. They argue that the authorities did not properly consult with the communities that would be effected by this project.
More:
http://blog.amnestyusa.org/americas/why-did-the-honduran-army-fire-on-a-peaceful-protest/
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UA: 188/13 Index: AMR 37/006/2013 Honduras Date: 23 July 2013
URGENT ACTION
ARMY FIRES ON PROTESTERS IN HONDURAS
On 15 July the army opened fire during a protest in Honduras, killing an Indigenous
leader and seriously injuring his son. There are grave concerns for the safety of
protesters, as the demonstrations are continuing.
Since April, the Lenca Indigenous communities of Río Blanco, Santa Barbara, western Honduras, have been
demonstrating against a hydro-electric power project on the land they have been living on for centuries, alleging
lack of adequate and prior consultation. The communities belong to the Civic Council of the Indigenous and
Popular Organizations of Honduras (Consejo Civico de Organizaciones Populares e Indigenas de Honduras –
COPINH).
On 15 July, at approximately noon, a group of around 100 demonstrators started marching towards the gates of the
hydro-electric project as they have been doing on a daily basis for the last three months. According to reports,
demonstrators were peaceful and marched under the supervision of the police and the army.
As they were approaching the site, the army opened fire against the demonstrators. Tomás García, an Indigenous
leader and deputy mayor in his local community, who had been active in the campaign against the project, received
three shots to his arm, chest and head. He died immediately. Allan García Domínguez, his 17 year old son, was
also shot. He received medical attention and his condition is stable. One soldier was arrested in connection with the
killing of Tomás García and the wounding of Allan García Domínguez.
More:
http://www.amnesty.org/ar/library/asset/AMR37/006/2013/en/04bf3ca0-7e7f-4fe1-b49e-331a28d0c116/amr370062013en.pdf
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