Outcome: Rio Blanco land defenders' protection extended

Members of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) reviewed and agreed on new protection measures with the Honduran government; including protective measures for Rosalina Dominguez, a member of the Río Blanco community who faced threats in 2019. 

We believe the public campaign, including appeals sent by Amnesty International members, contributed to these positive developments. Amnesty International continues to monitor the situation and will work with COPINH to ensure all the protection measures that have been committed to are put into effect, and that the attacks against community members are investigated. Amnesty International will react if further action is required.

No further action is requested at this time. Many thanks to all who sent appeals. 

Background:

On 16 July 2019, COPINH told Amnesty International that members of the Río Blanco community in Intibucá, south west Honduras, saw their food crop intentionally destroyed – affecting 25 families.

The attack took place in the same area where Rosalina Dominguez, her four sons, and two other members of the Río Blanco community were threatened on 30 April and 1 May 2019, by a group of at least seven people, one of whom was armed. COPINH called on the Honduran government to investigate these threats and guarantee the safety of the members of the community. There has been a history of attacks against this community; who are fighting against the construction of the Agua Zarca dam on the Gualcarque River.

In September 2019, members of COPINH and representatives of the Honduran Protection Mechanism held a meeting to discuss their protection measures. The Protection Mechanism and COPINH reviewed pre-existing measures and agreed on new ones; taking into consideration the latest attacks on members of the Río Blanco community.

For security reasons, we will not be disclosing further information about the protective measures taken to ensure the safety of the Río Blanco community.