The International Secretariat of the OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Honduras.
Brief description of the situation
CODEHUCA, a member of the network, has expressed its grave concern at
the assassination of the indigenous leader of the Maya Chortis people,
CANDIDO AMADOR RECINOS. This indigenous leader belonged to the Maya
Chortis nation which is engaged in a great struggle to reclaim its
territory and just as other leaders, he was the subject of persecution
and threats from cattle breeders and landholders in the Copan and
Otofepeque zone.
At the time of his death, he held the offices of Executive Secretary
of the Honduran Advisory Council for the development of autonomous
peoples, CAHDEA, the technical organ of the Confederation of Honduran
Indigenous peoples, CONPAH, which is a member of the CICA, the
indigenous Council of Central America.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities of Honduras urging them to :
i. carry out a thorough and impartial investigation concerning the
assassination of CANDIDO AMADOR RECINOS, identify those responsible
and impose upon them the civil, penal and/or administrative sanctions
provided by the law.
ii. ensure the right of the victim's family to an adequate
compensation and redress;
iii. put an end to violence and other grave violations perpetrated
against the indigenous peoples;
iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in
the country in accordance with national laws and international
standards.
Addresses
S.E. Carlos Roberto Reina, Presidente de la Rep?blica de Honduras,
Casa Presidencial, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Fax : + 504 34 49 47 and 34
19 66 and 22 10 30 Telex : 1129 MMRR HO/1429 HO
Lic. Edmundo Orellana Mercado, Fiscal General, Fiscal?a General de la
Rep?blica, Ministerio P?blico, 4? Avda, Colonia Palmira, Edificio
Castillo Poujol contiguo del Colegio de Enfermeras, Tegucigalpa,
Honduras. Fax : + 504 39 36 97 and 39 36 98
Lic. Leo Valladares Lanza, Comisionado Nacional para la Protecci?n de
los Derechos Humanos, Edificio Las Cumbres, Quinto Piso, Ave.
Cervantes, Apdo. 2986, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Fax : + 504 38 75 38
E-mail : conadeh1@ns.gbm.hn
Geneva, 21 April 1997.
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.