Between August 19th and 20th, we landed in Tegucigalpa to demand justice for Berta Cáceres. Our delegation,comprised of representatives from EarthRights International, Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF), and the Council of Mayan Peoples, presented a letter to the Supreme Court of Honduras expressing our deep concern over the stagnation of the case and the lack of justice for Berta and her family. The continued delays in the judicial process are unacceptable and raise fears of impunity. As a delegation, we pressed the highest court to act quickly and transparently to ensure that all those responsible, including the intellectual authors, are brought to justice. Otherwise, the case could escalate internationally, damaging Honduras’ image.
The main objective of the delegation was to pressure the Supreme Court of Honduras to expedite the resolution of the appeals related to the case. The continued delays have raised fears of impunity, with the judicial process stalled amid accusations of corruption and political interference. In our letter to the court, we emphasized that these delays not only deny justice to Cáceres’ family but also undermine the broader struggle for human rights in Honduras.
One of the main concerns highlighted by the delegation was the possibility of the case being elevated to international courts if the Honduran authorities did not deliver justice. The delegation stressed that continued inaction could harm Honduras’ international standing and lead to greater scrutiny by global human rights organizations.
The letter urges the Honduran government to confirm the sentences already issued and to ensure that all those involved,including the intellectual authors of the crime, are held accountable. The delegation underlined the importance of transparency and impartiality in the judicial process to restore faith in the rule of law in Honduras. The resolution of this case not only honors Cáceres’ legacy but also strengthens the global fight against impunity and for the protection of human rights defenders.
Read the letter here.
International Public Forum: “Berta Cáceres and Justice for Indigenous Peoples”
As part of the visit, on Tuesday, August 20th, we convened a public forum with the participation of Ana Elisa Samayoa of the Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF), Wyatt Gjullin of EarthRights International (ERI), Apolonia Agustín of the Council of Mayan Peoples (CPO), Bertha Zúniga of COPINH, and Pedro Landa of the Qualified Observation Mission Causa Berta Cáceres.
Ana Elisa Samayoa emphasized that prolonged delays in the judicial system can violate individual guarantees and urged the Criminal Chamber to resolve the appeals quickly to avoid dilatory practices that hinder access to justice. She highlighted that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has emphasized that judges should not undermine justice with delays.
Wyatt Gjullin highlighted the importance of judging cases involving economic capital to send a clear message about the consequences of violating human rights, and the need for reparations for victims, such as prior consultation on ancestral territories. He considered the case of Berta Cáceres to be key in the regional fight against impunity.
Pedro Landa criticized the delays in the Honduran judicial system, linking them to the influence of economic power and corruption. He mentioned the recent scandal related to former judge Marco Antonio Vallecillo, which evidenced the sale of justice. Landa noted that almost 95% of cases against environmental defenders remain unpunished and warned that corruption and corporate co-optation have prevented a definitive resolution in the case of Berta Cáceres, which could lead the case to international instances.
Criterio HN, wrote this review of the forum: https://bit.ly/4cCeHl0
Read the media coverage of our delegation’s visit:
- Criterio HN: Delay in judicial resolution of the Berta Cáceres case generates international concern.
- El Heraldo: International Mission asks for speedy resolution of the Berta Cáceres case
- ABC Spain: Honduras asked to confirm sentences for Berta Cáceres’ crime
- Peoples’ Dispatch: Family of Berta Cáceres condemns sentencing delays in assassination case
