4 Nov 1997 13:29:00
Subject: INDIGENOUS STRUGGLE CONTINUES
Priority: normal
Organization: Visitacion Padilla, Tegucigalpa Honduras
REPRESSION AGAINST INDIGENOUS GROUPS IN HONDURAS CONTINUES
TWO LENCA LEADERS COULD FACE IMPRISONMENT AND FINES
JUDGE THEATENS LENCA LEADERS WITH 10 MORE WARRANTS
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On October 12, 1997, Columbus Day, in commemoration of 505 years of oppresion, genocide
and plundering, members of the Civic Counsel of Indigenous and Popular Organizations
(COPIN) disfigured the stature of Columbus covering it with red paint, a symbolic amount of
their own blood, painting messages deploring the genocide and ultimately pulled the statue off
its base, breaking it as it fell.
October 12, 1997 also commemorated the six month anniversary of the assassination of
Indigenous Chorti leader Candido Amador Recinos, whose assassins have never been brought to
justice. Candido Amador is one of 19+ Indigenous and Black leaders who have been
assassinated during the past four years, while President Carlos Roberto Reina has been in office.
The Honduran government officals have launched a full fledged campaign in the press and the
courts against the leaders of COPIN, immediately asking for six years imprisonment, a hefty fine
and restoration--releasing the warrants for arrest in less than 10 days. HOWEVER, the same
officials have remained complicitly silent in the case of Candido Amador and other assassinated
leaders. NOT ONE SINGLE WARRANT BEEN ISSUED IN THE CASES OF THE
ASSASSINATIONS THESE 19+ INDIGENOUS AND BLACK LEADERS IN HONDURAS!!!
(In the past 15 years, a total of 41+ Indigenous and Black leaders have been assassinated without
a SINGLE case being brought to justice.)
The persecution of the leaders of COPIN by the government against COPIN, under the pretext of
having taken down the statue is clearly political. The two most vocal leaders of COPIN,
Salvador Zuniga and Candido Martinez have been identified as instigators of the action and have
pending warrants. They are presently in hiding, seeking to have the charges, which include
destruction of patrimonial culture and larceny, dismissed. The same judge who issued the
warrants for Zuniga and Martinez threatens to issue ten warrants more for sedition, but will not
release the names of those who will be affected.
On October 27, 1997 2,500 members of COPIN and Indigenous Lenca communties marched in
La Esperanza, Intibuca (western region of Honduras) calling for an end to political persecution
of their leaders and justice for the Indigenous and Black assassinated leaders. The Indigenous
and Black communities are mobilizing and will continue to act in solidarity until justice is
achieved. HOWEVER, YOUR SOLIDARITY IS ALSO URGENTLY NEEDED!
PLEASE SEND LETTERS OF SOLIDARITY CALLING FOR AN END TO THE POLITICAL
PERSECUTION OF THE LEADERS OF COPIN AND JUSTICE FOR THE ASSASSINATED
LEADERS!!!
These letters (in English or Spanish) can be:
FAXED TO:
1) President Carlos Roberto Reina at 001-504-34-09-84
2) Honorable Supreme Justice Supreme Court 011-504-33-97-93
OR
E-MAILED TO:
1) Honduran Ambassador to the U.S. at embhondu@ix.netcom.com
2) President's Informational Office of Honduras oip@ns.hondunet.net
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