Physicians for Human Rights
Using science and medicine to stop human rights violationsHonduras
Following the 2009 military coup d’état that ousted former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, there were major protests throughout the country both in favor of his forced exile and against it. While the legitimacy of Zelaya’s removal is still widely disputed, the brutal response against peaceful protesters by the government of interim-president Roberto Micheletti is well-documented. Local and international NGOs reported daily attacks and violations of fundamental rights directed against civilians protesting Zelaya’s “impeachment.” In many cases these assaults lead to deaths, injury, and the physical and psychological torture of protesters taken into custody. Physicians for Human Rights, along with three local NGOs, have analyzed 14 cases of such torture.
Honduran Doctor Remains on Government Hit List (July 21, 2009)
The Honduran army has been ordered to arrest Luther Castillo, MD, a Honduran physician and advocate for the health of the rural poor of Honduras. If Dr. Castillo resists arrest, the army has orders to shoot him.
Take action: Help Protect a Threatened Honduran Physician (July 9, 2009)
The Honduran army has been ordered to capture Luther Castillo, MD, and shoot him if he resists arrest, the Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba (MEDICC) reports. Dr. Castillo, an indigenous Graifuna physician, is an advocate for the health of rural Hondurans and has spoken out against the recent coup.
Featured Investigation
Honduras: Constitutional Crisis and Coup D’état (2009)
In 2009, Honduran President Zelaya's attempt to reform the constitution was seen as a threat by the military and legislative branch. It was thought Zelaya would attempt to eliminate presidential term limits, so on June 28 he was overthrown in a coup. Read More »
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