IACHR Condemns Assassination of Environmental Defender Juan López in Honduras

September 18, 2024

Washington, D.C. —The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (REDESCA) condemn the murder of Juan López, an environmental defender in Honduras. They call on the State for a prompt and thorough investigation, considering López's human rights work as a potential motive, in line with inter-American standards.

On the night of September 14, 2024, Juan López was fatally shot in the municipality of Tocoa, in the department of Colón. López was granted precautionary measures by the IACHR in 2023 due to ongoing death threats, surveillance, harassment, and other acts of violence stemming from his environmental activism. He was a member of the Tocoa Municipal Committee for the Defense of Public Goods, and these precautionary measures also extend to other members.

The IACHR and REDESCA express their deep concern over the climate of violence directed at human rights defenders in Honduras, particularly those advocating for environmental, land, and territorial rights. This worrying trend is documented in the IACHR's latest report on the human rights situation in Honduras. In 2023, the IACHR spoke out against the killings of five environmental defenders, four of which took place in the department of Colón.

The IACHR and REDESCA acknowledge that the President of Honduras has publicly condemned López's assassination and emphasize the urgent need for a thorough investigation that leads to the prosecution and punishment of both the perpetrators and those who masterminded the crime. The investigation must take into account López's role as a leader and defender of environmental, land, and territorial rights.

Assassinations and other acts of violence against human rights defenders in retaliation for their work have a multiplying effect that extends beyond individual harm—they aim to intimidate those working to defend similar causes. The IACHR and REDESCA urge the Honduran State to fully implement the precautionary measures granted to members of the Tocoa Municipal Committee for the Defense of Public Goods. Doing so is vital to safeguarding the lives and personal integrity of these defenders, as well as others who may be at risk.

In response, the Honduran State acknowledged the work of human rights defenders in the country and the longstanding challenges they have faced. It expressed its commitment to upholding the precautionary measures granted to the members of the Tocoa Municipal Committee for the Defense of Public Goods and strengthening the National Protection Mechanism for human rights defenders. The State also underlined its willingness to conduct a swift, effective investigation, taking into account López's environmental and human rights defense work as a potential motive. It also committed to bringing those responsible for both perpetrating and masterminding the crime to justice.

The IACHR and REDESCA urge the Honduran State to make progress in implementing the recommendations outlined in the latest country report. These include ensuring the proper functioning of national mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers, and members of the judiciary. The IACHR is ready to provide technical assistance and cooperation to address the challenges identified and to ensure compliance with the country's international obligations. The State has emphasized its openness to working with the IACHR to improve the human rights situation in the country and its commitment to implementing the recommendations discussed above.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, and Environmental Rights was created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to better promote and protect economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights across the Americas and to lead the IACHR's efforts in this area.

The IACHR is a principal and autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), whose mandate stems from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has the mandate to promote the observance and defense of human rights in the region and acts as an advisory body to the OAS on the matter. The IACHR is made up of seven independent members who are elected by the OAS General Assembly in their personal capacity, and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 219/24

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