Demand the Safety of Human Rights Defender Rafael Alegria

Politically motivated killings, kidnappings and death threats against farmers and Afro-descendent leaders have increased steadily since the 2009. In the Lower Aguan Region, more than 65 small farmers have been killed as they reclaim illegal landholdings from giant plantations that will grow bio-fuels for export. These small farmers simply want to grow food to feed themselves and their communities.

We received alarming news that Rafael Alegria (pictured right with Grassroots International staffer, Sara Mersha), a leader of La Via Campesina, has moved to a safe house because he is in fear for his life following the murder of his closest legal advisor, Antonio Trejo Cabrera. Antonio was providing legal support to the landless farmers in the Lower Aguan. His assassination and the ongoing and escalating threats against Rafael Alegria are examples of the deterioration of Honduras’ human rights record.

Ask the U.S. State Department to protect Rafael Alegria’s life and safety by taking action below. Without pressure from bodies such as the U.S. State Department, the Honduran government will continue to neglect and aggravate cases against human rights defenders.

Nikhil Aziz
Executive Director
Grassroot International

Letter

The violence in Honduras against farmers and Afro-descendent leaders continues to escalate. Politically motivated killings, kidnappings and death threats have increased steadily since the 2009 coup in the country and the installation of a post-coup regime. In the Aguan Region alone, more than 65 landless farmers have been killed. I received the alarming news that Rafael Alegria, a leader of La Via Campesina, has been moved to a safe house in fear for his life, following the murder of his closest legal advisor, Antonio Trejo Cabrera.

Mr. Cabrera, 41 years old, was providing legal support to landless farmers who are embattled in a dispute with a powerful landowner. Mr. Cabrera dedicated himself to help impoverished landless and small-scale farmers and those working to defend human rights. It is reported that Mr. Cabrera filed complaints with Honduran authorities, in which he stated that his life was in danger “due to permanent threats from the big landowners Miguel Facusse and Rene Morales” – the same landowners who are allegedly involved in disputes with landless farmers in the Lower Aguan. Mr. Cabrera’s murder, along with those of other human rights defenders, leaves a huge gap. His assassination and the ongoing and escalating threats against Rafael Alegria are examples of the deterioration of Honduras’ human rights record.

The Honduran government has implemented militarization policies that have contributed to human rights violations, and threaten the lives of nonviolent community leaders, including Rafael Alegria. As a close ally to the U.S., such violence and impunity are unacceptable and must be stopped.

In coordination with La Via Campesina International and other human rights defenders, I ask the U.S. State Department to take action to protect Rafael Alegria’s life and safety. Without pressure from bodies such as the U.S. State Department, the Honduran government will continue to neglect and aggravate cases against human rights defenders.

Mr. Alegria’s life is in danger solely because of his tireless commitment to human rights, in particular the rights of small farmers. An internationally recognized leader, he is a founding member of La Via Campesina International, the world’s largest network of small-scale farmers, pastoralists, Indigenous Peoples, and fisherfolk, now represented in 70 countries worldwide. Threats against Mr. Alegria endanger all human rights defenders and undermine democracy in Honduras.

I ask for your prompt attention to this case.

Sincerely,

To signe:

http://act.grassrootsonline.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=11817

Sent to:

Craig Kelly
U.S. Ambassador, Western Office of Hemisphere Affairs

Stephen Moody
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. State Departme

Maria Otero
U.S. Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs

Benjamin Gedan
Honduras Desk Officer, U.S. State Department