Tegucigalpa, Honduras
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Monday condemned the indigenous leader’s murder and pre-candidate Deputy in Honduras Félix Vásquez, and asked the authorities to conduct a “swift, independent and effective” investigation into the crime.
“I condemn the murder Felix Vasquez, recognized human rights defender, and I call on the authorities not to enter the impunityOacnudh’s representative, Isabel Albaladejo Escribano, said in a statement.
He pointed out that the crime committed by Vásquez, who was running for deputy for a movement of the Libertad y Refundación (free, left) party, reminds him of “the unacceptable risk that defenders of human rights, land and territory face in Honduras. importance of the state that publicly recognizes its work in favor of democracy “.
With the murder from Felix VasquezHonduras is reporting eight murders of human rights defenders this year, according to Oacnudh.
Quick inquiry
Felix Vasquez He was murdered on Saturday by gunmen who entered his home by force in the village of El Ocotal in the municipality of Santiago de Puringla, in the department of La Paz, in central Honduras.
The Oacnudh urged the authorities “to conduct a prompt, independent and effective investigation with due diligence” to ensure that the felony and punish the material and intellectual authors.
It also considers it important that the work of a human rights defender carried out by Vásquez be included in the lines of inquiry, and asked the state of Honduras to “ensure the care, protection and access to justice for the victim’s family and colleagues. “.
A recognized defender of the rights of peasants and indigenous peoples, Vásquez was General Secretary of the Union of Rural Workers in La Paz and a member of the Lenca Indigenous Movement.
In October 2020, the indigenous leader had denounced “death threats” against him and other defenders, the Oacnudh said.
On December 16, the victim took part in a protest denouncing the criminalization of Víctor Vásquez, another imprisoned native defender, for unspecified reasons.
Vásquez was a pre-candidate for Deputy of the Honduran Parliament, for the movement Somos Más del free party, whose general coordinator is the deposed former president of Honduras Manuel Zelaya.
For now, the police have indicated that no people in the case have been arrested and that the security forces investigating the crime have not established the motive.
According to reports from Amnesty International and the non-governmental organization Global Witness, Honduras is considered one of the most dangerous countries for defenders of the environment and the country. EFE