Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America

Honduran SoldiersSeptember  19-26

An emergency religious delegation to Honduras is being organized for September 19-26 in response to requests from our religious partners and social movements in Honduras for international accompaniment.  The lead organizer of the delegation is Scott Wright (swright@epica.org) at EPICA (Ecumenical Program In Central America), and it is co-sponsored by Pax Christi USA, SICSAL, Quixote Center and Hemispheric Social Alliance.

Background

Since the military coup that removed President Zelaya on June 28^th, the situation has become increasingly tense.  Honduran human rights and civil society groups continue to report serious violations of civil and human rights against activists, journalists and other social leaders expressing opposition to the coup.  Efforts at mediation by the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias have not succeeded in enabling the return of President Zelaya, whose removal was not legal nor democratic.  Honduran society is very polarized.  Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the hemisphere.  Beyond the restoration of constitutional order, long-term peace and stability will depend on strengthening the political institutions within the country and ensuring that the poor and marginalized sectors of society be included in the economic and political life of the country.

Delegation Objectives:

• To lend protection against human rights violations and help safeguard human rights by providing an international presence and witness to events on the ground;
• To learn about the social, economic, religious and political realities in Honduras through meetings with various sectors of civil society, including Church leaders, and through listening to first-hand accounts of those who have been victims of the post-coup violence;
• To issue reports that reflect the information that is gathered, in order to break through the blockade of information available in the United States
• To lend moral support to the faith community and civil society organizations engaged in accompanying the poor;
• To advocate, both in Honduras and upon return to the US, for the restoration of constitutional order and the protection of human and civil rights.

Estimated Cost:  

Cost of the trip will include RT airfare plus $700 (approximately) for in-country expenses: (food, lodging, transportation, set up of meetings, translation, etc.) 

Participants: 

Given the potentially precarious situation on the ground in Honduras, those interested in participating should have some experience in traveling to a developing country or zone of conflict and ability to manage stress in a fluid situation.  Spanish is helpful, but not necessary.  Participants must also be willing to engage in advocacy work following the trip.  For more information and to apply, contact Scott Wright (swright@epica.org).