Executive Decree gives green light to increased abuses in Honduras

[Judi Lynn]

September, 29 2009
Executive Decree gives green light to increased abuses in Honduras


Honduran de facto president Roberto Micheletti must rescind a decree that provides sweeping new powers of detention to the police, bans all public meetings and imposes a 45 day curfew, Amnesty International said today.

“Honduras risks spiralling into a state of lawlessness, where police and military act with no regard for human rights or the rule of law,” said Susan Lee, Americas Director at Amnesty International. “Roberto Micheletti must urgently rescind the decree and send clear instructions to the security forces to respect human rights in all circumstances and at all times.”

Attacks on opponents of the de facto government by the police and military have escalated dramatically since the publication of the Presidential decree. Radio Globo and Canal 36, a local radio station and TV channel, were forcibly and violently shut down in joint police and military operations, which disregarded legal procedures and human rights.

On Monday at around 5.20am a joint military and police operation broke down the front door of the offices of Radio Globo shooting live ammunition into the air while taking over the building.

More:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGPRE200909291332&lang=e