Fear spread through Honduras when award-winning environment defender and Lenca Indigenous leader Berta Cáceres was gunned down in March 2016.
Now Berta's daughter and other Indigenous leaders are under attack for refusing to be paralyzed, and instead courageously continuing to mobilize in defence of their rights, territory and the environment.
On June 30, machete-wielding assailants attacked the vehicle in which Berta's daughter Bertha Isabel Zúniga Cáceres was travelling, along with Sotero Chavarría Fúnez and José Asunción Martínez.
The three are coordinators of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (known by its acronym COPINH), the coalition that had been led by Berta Cáceres before her assassination.
Bertha Isabel, Sotero and José managed to escape but suffered a second attack aimed at forcing their vehicle off the road.
Others are at risk too. On June 21, an armed man aimed a pistol at Francisco Javier Sánchez, also a COPINH coordinator, and threatened to kill his children. Around the same time, assailants tried to force the mother of Sotero Chavarria’s children into a car.
Please raise your voice to protect Bertha Isabel, Sotero, José, Francisco Javier and all members of COPINH so they can continue their vital defense of human rights.
Dear General de Division, Julián Pacheco Tinoco, Minister of Security,
I am deeply distressed that leaders of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) and their families continue to suffer attacks and aggression.
Those responsible for the June 30 armed attacks on the vehicle carrying Bertha Isabel Zúniga Cáceres, Sotero Chavarría Fúnez and José Asunción Martínez must be found and brought to justice, as well as those responsible for threatening Francisco Javier Sánchez, and attempting to kidnap the mother of Sotero Chavarria’s children.
Such aggression must be stopped!
I call on you to take all appropriate measures to guarantee the safety of COPINH members and the family of Berta Cáceres, in accordance with their wishes and in strict compliance with the precautionary measures granted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. This requires careful consultation and cooperation with COPINH.
I also call on you to speak out publicly, acknowledging that the human rights work of COPINH is legitimate and that violence against COPINH will not be tolerated.
I appeal for your leadership to uphold the obligations of Honduras to ensure the security of all citizens. The eyes of the world are watching.
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
