Berta Cáceres’ murder must not go unpunished

Summary: CETIM and AIJD address the two Special Rapporteurs on their joint report to express their concerns about the problem of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the consequences that these have on the human rights situation in various countries. In the statement, CETIM and AIJD raise the case of the murder of activist and indigenous Lenca leader Berta Cáceres in Honduras. Berta was committed to defending the rights of indigenous peoples, peasant movements and the environment. In her struggles, she opposed mining projects and large hydroelectric dams in which various transnational companies were invested. Her fight against the power of transnationals and her opposition to the coup d’état of 28 June 2009 (orchestrated by the country’s oligarchy with the complicity of Western powers) led to her death. We demand justice for Berta Cacéres; a halt to all “development” projects that violate human rights and without prior consultation with the local population; a freeze on investments in these projects by transnational companies and international financial institutions; an end to impunity for crimes against human rights defenders and independent investigations to shed full light on the chain of responsibility for these crimes.

Watch Melik Özden’s speech to bring justice to Berta Caceres from Honduras, subtitled in English & Spanish

Watch Brid Brennan’s speech to bring justice to Berta Caceres from Honduras, subtitled in French & Spanish

Watch Mr. Villareal’s speech to bring justice to Berta Cáceres of Honduras, subtitled in English & French