|
IGLHRC executive director Cary Alan Johnson said:
"The recent coup in Honduras is an illegal assault on democracy that violates the rights of all Honduran citizens, including those who identify as LGBT. We especially deplore the vicious murder and arbitrary arrests of LGBT people in the wake of this crisis."
A transgender activist was murdered on the night of June 29 after she went to work during the military-imposed two-night curfew. She was found dead with two gunshot wounds: one through her head and one in her back. Local activists in Honduras claim she was killed by military police patrolling the streets.
Five other LGBT activists were arrested, detained and then beaten while in custody. The arrests occurred while the activists were participating in a demonstration in support of the democratically elected government. All of the activists are public figures, known to be leaders in the LGBT movement.
Honduras has a checkered history on LGBT rights. IGLHRC contributed to a 2006 report about human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in Honduras. The report emphasized that the Honduran government engages in widespread discrimination against the LGBT community. It documented over 200 murders of transgender people and sex workers by state and non-state actors, as well as numerous incidents of police brutality. In 2007, IGLHRC issued an action alert after four transgender people were arbitrarily arrested and physically, verbally and psychologically abused in police custody.
Marcelo Ferreyra, coordinator of IGLHRC's Latin America and Caribbean Program said:
"Human rights and fundamental freedoms are being challenged in Honduras in the aftermath of the coup. Under such circumstances, there is always danger for those whose sexual orientation or gender identity does not conform to social norms. We ask for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Honduras."
For more information about IGLHRC and its work on Honduras view:
www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/region/102.html
The mission of The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) is advancing human rights for everyone, everywhere to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. A non-profit, non-governmental organization, IGLHRC is based in New York, with offices in Cape Town and Buenos Aires.