National Caritas statement on violence and human rights

Pastoral Social/Cáritas Honduras
[The national Caritas office]

Statement on the violation of human Rights and the climate of violence

“I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10)

The national consciousness, accustomed to live in a climate of violence, has been shaken in the last few days by the increase of violence, but with clearly political characteristics. This began before June 28, the date on which the replacement of the president happened.

Various persons died during the course of these five months participating in the mobilizations of the population. Apparently calm appeared to have taken place in daily living.

Nevertheless the recorded assassinations signaled the contrary. Such is the case of the defender of Human Rights, Walter Troches, active member of the Resistance Front and the death of Ángel Salgado, assassinated one day before the elections by members of the army. Similarly, the kidnapping of the leader of the resistance in the northern city of Choloma, among others.

We look with concern and under a shadow on the increase of crimes categorized as common crimes in the population: the death of Katherine Nicolle Cabrery Edwin Canaca at the hands of hit-men for reasons which have not yet be made clear.

The absence of a judicial institutional order which is trustworthy and stable, the vacuum of a power with moral legitimacy, has brought it about that violence has made itself the ruling [power] in the Honduran society.

Pastoral Social/Caritas considers and repudiates against every type of action that attacks the sacred right to life, since these actions are a violation of human rights and make the task of reconciliation and seeking peace in the Honduran society more difficult.

We call upon the society and governmental entities to turn back this situation, to be effective in applying justice and to seek honestly paths which lead to peace, to respect for life and human rights.

Tegucigalpa, December 18, 2009