Front Line is concerned by reports of attacks against several human rights defenders in the communities of Agalteca and Orica in the department of Francisco Morazón, Honduras. Raymundo Rodríguez, Abel Hernández, Jairo Domingo and Franklin Martínez are members of the Comité Ambientalista de Orica (Environmental Committee of Orica) and Mario Adolfo López is a member of the Committee in the village of Agalteca. Both Committees work in defence of the natural resources of the area.

Further Information

Posted 26/08/2008 On 20 July 2008, at approximately 20.00, police agents came to the home of Abel Hernández in the village of San Francisco in Orica. The police, who did not have arrest warrants, entered the house and arrested Raymundo Rodríguez, Abel Hernandez, Jairo Domingo and Franklin Martínez. The policemen took the four men to the police station in San Francisco and physically assaulted Raymundo Rodríguez. He suffered four broken ribs and was in hospital in Tegucigalpa until 6 August as a result. A complaint regarding this incident has been made to the Public Prosecutor for Human Rights.

Furthermore, on 3 August 2008, Mario Adolfo López was assaulted by a person known to him, who hit him on the head with a firearm. The incident is believed to be related to Mario Adolfo López' work as a member of the Environmental Committee.

Front Line believes that the attacks against the members of the Environmental Committees are directly related to their work in defence of the natural resources of their communities. Front Line observes with concern the continued threats and attacks on those who work in defence of environmental rights in Honduras.