International Mission Finds Human Rights Violations in Aguan Valley, Honduras

Tegucigalpa, Mar 5, 2011. (Prensa Latina) A total of 19 Honduran peasants were
killed in Bajo Aguan from Jan 2010 until today and all the crimes
remain unpunished, according to an International Mission that visited the area.

During the investigation that conducted between Feb 25 and Mar
4, 2011 the International Mission found numerous violations of human rights.

The leaders and members of peasant organizations have been threatened
and harassed, both by public security forces and private security companies in the

employ of large landowners.

The Mission also found cases of kidnapping, torture, injuries, sexual
abuse and arbitrary detention

Forced evictions of the families living in the region continue and the

government failed in its commitment to deliver 27,181
acres to the members of the Unified Movement of Peasants of Aguan.

The International Mission was composed of six international organizations and
networks, including Via Campesina, the Latin American Union of Food
Workers, International FIAN and religious and humanitarian groups.

The Mission plans to deliver the report to the Truth Commission
established by the human rights platform in Honduras after the coup, the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council of the UN.