2016
Résolution No. 16/16( EXTENSION )
MC 112-16 - Members of COPINH, Berta Cáceres' relatives and other, Honduras
On March 23, 2016, the IACHR decided to extend the scope of the Precautionary Measure 112/16, originally granted on May 18th of 2015 in favor of the members of COPINH, Berta Cáceres’s relatives and Gustavo Castro in Honduras. Through this extension, the IACHR requested protection for the life and physical integrity of Víctor Fernández, Arnold Guifarro, Carlos Jiménez, as well as A, B y C, persons whom the IACHR has identified as A, B and C to protect their identity upon request. The information provided by the beneficiaries indicates that these individuals are at risk considering they constitute the legal team that represents Berta Cáceres’ family in the processes of investigating her murder. Through its decision to extend this precautionary measure, the Commission asked Honduras to adopt the necessary measures to protect the life and personal integrity of Víctor Fernández, Arnold Guifarro, Carlos Jiménez, A, B and C, and to adopt the necessary measures for these persons to develop their activities as human right’s defendants without being objects of violence and harassment in the exercise of their functions; to agree upon measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives and to provide information on the actions adopted to investigate the alleged facts that resulted on the adoption of a precautionary measure in order to avoid repetition.
Résolution No. 8/16
MC 112-16 - Members of COPINH, Berta Cáceres' relatives and other, Honduras
On March 5th of 2016, the IACHR decided to request that precautionary measures be adopted in favor of the life and personal integrity of the members of COPINH, Berta Cáceres’s relatives and Gustavo Castro in Honduras. The request for precautionary measures alleges that the beneficiaries, members of COPINH, are at risk due to their activities in the defense of human rights, the environment and natural resources; Berta Cáceres relatives due to the recent murder of COPINH’s activist; and Gustavo Castro for witnessing such murder. After analyzing the allegations of fact and law, the Commission considers that the information presented demonstrates, prima facie, that members of COPINH, Berta Cáceres’ relatives and Gustavo Castro are in a serious and urgent situation given the fact that their life and personal integrity are allegedly threatened and at risk. Consequently, in accordance with Article 25 of its Rules and Procedures, the Commission requested Honduras to adopt the necessary measures to guaranteeing the life and personal integrity of the members of COPINH, Berta Cáceres’ relatives and Gustavo Castro. Considering the information presented showing that Mr. Gustavo Castro has decided to leave the country to protect his safety, the IACHR considers necessary that the State takes the necessary measures to ensure Castro’s well-being during the process to prepare and ultimately leave the country; to adopt all the necessary measures to ensure members of COPINH their ability to carry out activities as human rights defenders without being subjected to acts of violence, threats and harassments; to agree upon measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives; and to provide information on the actions taken to investigate the alleged facts that resulted on the adoption of precautionary measures to avoid repetition. Furthermore, the IACHR summons the parts to a work meeting during the next period of sessions of the Commission.