Honduras: "Frank and truthful dialogue" needed

In the studio at Radio Progreso, the "voice of the people" in Honduras

We are relieved our partners’ demands have been heard and the oppressive decree imposed by Micheletti’s “de facto” government has been lifted to pave the way for negotiations

Since Honduran president Manuel Zelaya was overthrown by a military coup on 30 June, our partners have been advocating the need for dialogue and negotiations between the elected and coup governments as the only solution to the situation.

However the oppressive measures taken by Micheletti’s government obstructed the possibility of negotiation.

Excessive control

Raf Flores Ponce, director of our partner FOSDEH (Social Forum on Debt and Development in Honduras), says the state of siege gave “excessive control” to military and police officers against the civil population.

He says: “Far from being a mechanism to promote dialogue, this decree was imposed by the ruling party to increase the force of the repression. We called for the repeal of the decree in order to achieve a real, inclusive and fair dialogue.”

Many peaceful protestors were imprisoned and media outlets closed under the decree, which banned gatherings of over 20 people and restricted movement and freedom of speech.

Father Ismael Moreno, director of another of our partners Radio Progreso, spoke out in a press conference broadcast by the community radio station of the need for free speech in the media.

“The coup government attempted unsuccessfully to close Radio Progreso under the decree,” he said. “At a time when the media has become a spokesperson for the de facto regime, our truthful radio programmes are more vital than ever to present people with an accurate picture of what is happening in their country.”

Our partner Caritas Honduras, also recognising the need for uncensored media broadcasting has publically condemned the death threats received by Father Moreno due to his non-cooperation with the current government’s demands.

Although Roberto Micheletti has said that the reason for lifting the decree, issued initially for 45 days, is because “there is now peace in Honduras,” Pedro Landa of Caritas Honduras denounced the “illegitimate and disproportionate” imposition as a measure, which has “increased tension, fear and aggression in the population without helping to solve the country’s real problem.”

As negotiations between Manuel Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti re-commence this week, CAFOD and our partners hope for a consensus that will end the uncertainty in the country.

As expressed by Caritas Honduras: “We are calling for frank, truthful and inclusive dialogue which considers the common good of the country.”

Letters from Honduras: Inside the demos

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