SRFOE expresses concern over reports of attacks on the press in Honduras and reaffirms its commitment to monitoring freedom of expression in the country

May 30, 2025

Washington D.C. - The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (SRFOE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns the attack against journalist Frank Mejía and expresses its concern over reports of criminalization of the press in Honduras. The Office calls on the State to take the necessary measures to guarantee that journalists can carry out their work freely, independently and safely. It also reaffirms its commitment to continue monitoring the situation of freedom of expression in the country.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur strongly condemns the attack suffered by Honduran journalist Frank Mejía on May 18, 2025. According to available information, National Police officers allegedly illegally broke into his home, located in the La Peña neighborhood of Comayagüela, Tegucigalpa, on the grounds that they were searching for a missing person. Public reports state that during the operation the agents allegedly handcuffed, beat and threatened to kill the journalist, in addition to taking his personal belongings. After what happened, Mejía expressed his fear for his safety, that of his family and the safety of his fellow journalists.

This Office takes note of the statements made by the Secretary of State in the Office of Security, who informed to have instructed the Police Disciplinary Affairs Directorate (DIDADPOL) and the General Inspectorate of the National Police to initiate the corresponding investigations and establish responsibilities in this case.

Likewise, the SRFOE warns that this case adds to a series of reports received from civil society organizations and journalists, who have warned about the opening of criminal proceedings against various media and press professionals, such as El Heraldo, La Prensa, La Tribuna, Radio América, Abriendo Brecha, CHTV, Hable como Habla, Q'Hubo TV, Criterio HN, Noticias 24/7, Hondudiario and its director Arístides Aceituno, as well as Radio Cadena Voces (RCV) and its director Dagoberto Rodríguez. According to the information available, these actions were allegedly promoted by State authorities, including high-ranking officers of the Armed Forces, based on alleged crimes of libel and slander, with the apparent purpose of challenging publications on matters of public interest and identifying the sources used in such investigations.

In addition, as noted in its Annual Report 2024, the SRFOE has continued to receive reports of stigmatization, smear campaigns, disinformation and threats directed against journalists. Of particular concern are the recent statements by the Secretary of State in the Office of National Defense (SEDENA) and the Armed Forces (FF.AA.), which described as “false, reckless and unfounded” (“falsas, temerarias e infundadas”) the allegations of the director of Abriendo Brecha and Televisión Educativa Nacional - Canal 10; and the May 26 publication in edition 119 of FF.AA. Digital, entitled “Assassins of the truth” (“Sicarios de la verdad”) and accompanied by photographs of three journalists.

According to the information received, the aforementioned events could be part of a broader pattern of pressures and intimidations against the press dealing with issues of public interest, and could have the potential to generate a strong intimidating and silencing effect on journalists.

In this regard, the IACHR in its report “Situation of Human Rights in Honduras” warned that the use of criminal mechanisms to punish specially protected speech -such as those referring to matters of public interest or about public officials, candidates for public office or politicians- in itself violates Article 13 of the American Convention. In particular, the Inter-American Court has specified that “in the case of speech that is protected because it concerns matters of public interest, such as the conduct of public officials in the performance of their duties, the State’s punitive response through criminal law is not conventionally appropriate to protect the honor of an official”.

Likewise, the IACHR has recognized that it is legitimate and, on certain occasions, a duty for State authorities to make statements on matters of public interest and defend themselves in the face of criticism and questioning by the press, and to rectify information when they deem it necessary. However, in doing so, they must bear in mind that as public officials they have a position as guarantors of the fundamental rights of individuals and, therefore, their statements may not directly or indirectly infringe on the rights of those who seek to contribute to public deliberation through the expression and dissemination of their thoughts.

In view of the above facts, the SRFOE urges the Honduran authorities to continue the investigation into the attack on journalist Frank Mejía, punish those responsible and guarantee adequate reparation in accordance with Inter-American standards. It also calls on the State to adopt the necessary measures to ensure a safe and favorable environment for the practice of journalism; and in particular to advance in the decriminalization of crimes against honor in the case of expressions linked to matters of public interest. The SRFOE reaffirms its commitment to continue monitoring the situation of freedom of expression in the country and to support efforts aimed at consolidating an environment conducive to the full exercise of this right.

The Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression is an office created by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to encourage the hemispheric defense of the right to freedom of thought and expression, considering its fundamental role in the consolidation and development of the democratic system.

No. R110/25

9:11 AM