Honduras – Surveillance, intimidation of human rights defenders from Trade Union of Workers of National University of Honduras

Dear Presidente Manuel Zelaya Rosales,

I am deeply concerned by information received concerning the surveillance of human rights defenders who are members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Universidad Nacional de Honduras – SITRAUNAH (Trade Union of Workers of the National University of Honduras), including its president René Andino, and the existence of a list containing the names of 136 human rights defenders, including trade unionists and members of religious orders.

On 10 September 2008, when the members of the trade union were leaving the SITRAUNAH premises, they noticed an individual taking photographs of the building. When René Andino inquired as to the activities of this person, he identified himself as a police agent and stated that he had received orders from the Ministry of Security to observe the headquarters of the organisation and that he had been instructed by the aforementioned Ministry to kill the union members. The police agent agreed to accompany the union leaders into the union headquarters.

Another police officer subsequently arrived on a motorbike and confirmed this objective to the union members and to two security guards at the university. It was discovered that this police agent was in possession of a list that contained the names of 136 persons, amongst them trade unionists and members of religious orders. Some of those named had already been killed and appeared on the list as already deceased.

On 17 September, both the police and members of SITRAUNAH submitted declarations before the Criminal Court of Francisco Morazán Department. During the hearing the two agents were allowed to testify by themselves while the union members were obliged to testify in the presence of the police agents.

I believe that the surveillance of the SITRAUNAH trade union and the existence of the aforementioned list is directly related to their work in defence of human rights. In view of these incidents, I wish to express serious concern for the physical and psychological integrity of SITRAUNAH members, their families, and all those who appear on the aforementioned list.

I urge the authorities in Honduras to:

1.Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the aforementioned incident, with the aim of bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards; 2.Immediately adopt measures to guarantee the security of all those who are named in the list and of their families; 3.Ensure that all human rights defenders in Honduras, carrying out their legitimate work in defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions, without fear of threats, intimidation and reprisals.

Yours sincerely,