#WHRDAlert SYSTEMATIC THREATS AGAINST WOMEN DEFENDERS OF THE SANTA BARBARA ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT (MAS)

National Network of WHRD in Honduras - Defenders Eulogia García and Betty Vásquez, members of the Zacapa Women’s Network and the Santa Barbara Environmental Movement (MAS), together with the Coordinator of the Women’s Network, Sandra Bautista, have once again been subjected to threats by activists of the National Party.

Last April 4th, a nationalist activist threatened Eulogia. When she asked him why he had been surveilling her for the last week, his answer was, “We’ve got you in our sights and we’re gonna screw you, you know where.”

Eulogia, Betty and Sandra, are long-time defenders, widely recognized in their community for their crucial work in defense of natural assets and the human rights of women. They have faced ongoing smear campaigns, persecution and threats from activists in the National Party, which have heightened since voter fraud was denounced in Honduras in November of 2017.

We of the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders in Honduras extend our solidarity to our comrades Eulogia García, Sandra Bautista and Betty Vásquez, who are members of our network.

We call on the national and international community to express solidarity and support for the defenders.

We hold the government of Juan Orlando Hernández responsible for the persecution and attacks against our comrades to hinder their work in defense of human rights.

Long live the right to defend rights!

No more persecution!

Tegucigalpa, April 7, 2018

More press releases: