Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mr. Michel Forst, visited Honduras from 29 April to 12 May 2018. The main objective of his visit was to assess the situation of human rights defenders in the country and to determine how it may have changed since his predecessor, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya, visited the country in 2012. That assessment was conducted in the light of the obligations and commitments assumed by the State under international human rights law, including the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

He analyses the legal and institutional framework for the protection of human rights defenders and the environment in which they are working. He finds that human rights defenders in Honduras are operating in a civic space that is under siege and subject to serious violations and restrictions of civil and political rights. He also finds that rights defenders are attacked with total impunity and are criminalized, delegitimized and disparaged because of the work they do in promoting and defending human rights.

The Special Rapporteur recognizes the existence of specific groups of human rights defenders who are at risk, including persons who are defending civil and political rights, the human rights of lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and intersex persons and indigenous peoples, the land and environment, the human rights of journalists, students and legal professionals, and migrants.

He concludes that, despite the efforts being made and, in particular, the establishment of a national protection mechanism, the vast majority of human rights defenders in Honduras are unable to work in a safe, supportive environment. In closing, the Special Rapporteur makes a series of recommendations designed to assist the Government and other relevant actors in their efforts to create a safe, supportive environment in which human rights defenders can promote and protect human rights safely and effectively.