RCT and OMCT urge the UN to take urgent action in relation to the human rights violations in Honduras

Since the coup d'État in Honduras, the RCT and OMCT have received a series of credible reports of gross human rights violations, notably killings, torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention and "disappearance" of students, human rights defenders and others in connection with peaceful demonstrations against the coup. The reports come from RCT's long-standing partner organization in Honduras, Centro de Prevención, Tratamiento y Rehabilitación de las Victimas de la Tortura y sus Familiares (CPTRT) as well as from OMCT members and partner organizations in Honduras.

The RCT and the OMCT urge the Special Rapporteurs and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to take urgent action by calling upon the de facto government of Honduras to cease the serious violations of human rights, including the killing of civilians and the assaults against human rights defenders, to restore justice and the rule of law, and to guarantee respect for human rights and fundamental liberties in Honduras.

The requests have been sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Professor Manfred Nowak, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Professor Philip Alston, and to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

For further information: advocacy coordinator Tue Magnussen, +45 22 44 43 95 or Jan Ole Haagensen, head of RCT's International Department, +45 36 93 86 05.

Spanish version of press release

Press release from Centro de Prevención, Tratamiento y Rehabilitación de las Victimas de la Tortura y sus Familiares (CPTRT)

August 12 2009 (Spanish version)

CPTRT report on human rights violations after the coup d´etat June 28

Letter to UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Vice-President Mr. Malick El Hadji Sow

Request for urgent action in connection with torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention in Honduras

Letter to UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions

Request for urgent action to prevent further extra judicial, summary and arbitrary executions in Honduras

Letter to UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders

Request for urgent action to prevent further harassment of human rights defenders in Honduras