Confederation of the Native People of Honduras

C.O.N.P.A.H.

Ba. La Granja, 2 ave. 1 y 2 Calle Casa 2\3327

Comyaguela, M.D.C. Honduras, C.A.

Aptdo. Postal 20-585, Tel. 25-26-12 y telefax 25-49-25

E-mail conpah%conpah@sdnhon.org.hn

Official Communication No. 8

May 12, 1997

The Confederation of the Native People of Honduras (C.O.N.P.A.H),

before the government of Honduras, national and international human

rights organizations, international observers of this pilgrimage,

national and international mediums of communication and the Honduran

population in general:

1. At 3:30 a.m., Monday, May 12, 1997, three thousand indigenous and

black people of this pilgrimage were violently and forcefully

removed and relocated by the Honduran Armed Forces. Many men,

women and children were severely wounded and hurt, ALL their

belongings were taken and destroyed, as well as creating

much terror and fear and physical stress in the participants

--especially the women and children. Furthermore, this

violent inhuman forced removal was illegal. The Armed

Forces did not present either a presidential or judicial

order in writing which is necessary for such a removal to

take place.

2. The justification of government for this illegal forced removal

greatly surprises us. They are alleging that WE broke

negotiations and have been intransigent. This is untrue.

President Dr. Carlos Roberto Reina as well as the Minister

of Culture and Arts know that this is not true because we

have shown many signs of good faith, including the fact that

we had agreed to sign the final document this morning at

9:00 a.m., BUT THE GOVERNMENT WENT BACK ON ITS WORD.

Therefore, we believe that this is a clear sign that the

government does not have good faith nor the intent to

resolve this problem.

3. The Indigenous and Black people of Honduras are calling out to

all sectors of the national and international population to

collaborate and unite in this struggle. Furthermore, we are

URGENTLY CALLING for all the indigenous and black communities of

Honduras to come to Tegucigalpa and be present in the

"Candido Amador Recinos Vive" pilgrimage. Your presence

will help us to continue organizing our resistance to the

injustice and to help form a more just and human society,

with our faith in God.

"With the Glory of the Past and Present

For the Construction of a World With Dignity"

"Indigenous and Black Communities

In Resistance"

Confederacion de Pueblos Autoctonos de Honduras

C.O.N.P.A.H.

Ba. La Granja, 2 ave. 1 y 2 Calle Casa 2\3327

Comyaguela, M.D.C. Honduras, C.A.

Aptdo. Postal 20-585, Tel. 25-26-12 y telefax 25-49-25

E-mail conpah%conpah@sdnhon.org.hn