[CTC] Fwd: URGENT FOLLOW UP ACTION: for safety and safe departure from Honduras of Gustavo Castro, against criminalization of COPINH

[Manuel]

Sorry for crosspostings...

Begin forwarded message:

> 
> Dear friends, 
> 
> I'm hoping that you can help us take further action in follow up from the online action that we sent around yesterday looking for your help urging immediate protection for Gustavo Castro who was wounded in the attack that killed Berta Cáceres and whose safety is now at risk as he as become a key witness in the investigation. (see online action here: http://movimientom4.org/2016/03/urgent-action-we-urge-immediate-protection-for-gustavo-castro-injured-during-the-assassination-of-berta-caceres/) 
> 
> Gustavo's departure from Honduras is taking longer than we expected and it's not very clear why or what this means. At the same time, members of COPINH - Berta's organization - are being criminalized by the Honduran authorities in an apparent attempt to criminalize them and connect them with this horrific crime. All of this could be aimed at distorting the investigation into Berta's murder and put Gus at risk. 
> 
> We are asking that you and/or your organization and/or your network send a personal note to Honduran and Mexican authorities in Honduras who are involved in negotiating Gustavo's departure. Please see the following draft text below (Spanish follows the English).
> 
> Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. 
> 
> Best,
> Jen
> 
> SEND TO: ygarcia at presidencia.gob.hn, hrangel at sre.gob.mx, embhonduras at sre.gob.mx, karlacueva144 at gmail.com, pgrdespacho at pgrhonduras.gob.hn, central at conadeh.hn, intibuca at conadeh.hn
> 
> SUBJECT LINE: Urgent measures necessary to ensure Gustavo Castro's security and safe departure from Honduras 
> 
> Presidente of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado
> Mexican Ambassador in Honduras Dolores Jiménez Hernández
> Head of Foreign Relations, Mexican Embassy in Honduras, Héctor Alfredo Rangel Gómez 
> 
> cc: 
> Honduras Prosecutor General 
> Honduras National Human Rights Commission in Tegucigalpa and Intibucá 
> 
> Mr. Presidente Juan Orlando Hernández and Mexican authorities in Honduras,
> 
> I am writing to you as the President of Honduras and representatives of Mexico in Honduras out of deep concern for the life and security of Gustavo Castro Soto who is currently in a precarious situation after surviving the brutal attack that killed the internationally-renowned human rights defender, Berta Cáceres. As a result of having survived, Gustavo Castro became a key actor in the investigations into the assassination of Ms. Cáceres, also putting him in serious danger. 
> 
> I understand that the Mexican Embassy in Honduras is taking steps to help ensure Gustavo's security. However, I also understand that his departure from Honduras is being held up and it is not clear what is taking place. 
> 
> Concurrently, I further understand that Honduran authorities are starting to criminalize members of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations (COPINH) in connection with Berta's brutal assassination. Not only could this put members of COPINH in danger, I fear that it could also be aimed at distorting the investigation, which must be full and impartial and consider both material and intellectual authors. 
> 
> I am writing to urge the Honduran government to refrain from criminalizing members of COPINH and to clarify why Gustavo is not being allowed to leave the country in a timely manner. 
> 
> In addition, I urge the Honduran government and the Mexican Embassy in Honduras to fully guarantee Gustavo Castro's security and to ensure that he will be ensured a safe return to Mexico in an expedited manner. 
> 
> Attentively, 
> 
> [YOUR NAME AND ORGANIZATION]
> 
> ***
> 
> SEND TO: ygarcia at presidencia.gob.hn, hrangel at sre.gob.mx, embhonduras at sre.gob.mx, karlacueva144 at gmail.com, pgrdespacho at pgrhonduras.gob.hn, central at conadeh.hn, intibuca at conadeh.hn
> 
> SUBJECT LINE: Urge medidas para asegurar la seguridad y la salida de Honduras de Gustavo Castro 
> 
> Presidente de Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado
> Embajadora Dolores Jiménez Hernández
> Jefe de Cancillería Héctor Alfredo Rangel Gómez 
> 
> cc: 
> Procuraduría General de la República de Honduras
> Comisionado Nacional de Derechos Humanos de Honduras en Tegucigalpa y Intibucá 
> 
> Sr. Presidente Juan Orlando Hernández y autoridades mexicanas en Honduras,
> 
> Me dirijo a ustedes como Presidente de Honduras y representantes de México en Honduras con profunda preocupación por la vida y la seguridad de Gustavo Castro Soto quien se encuentra en una situación muy precaria después de haber sobrevivido un ataque armado que terminó la vida de la defensora reconocida internacionalmente Berta Cáceres. Por lograr sobrevivir, Gustavo Castro se convirtió en un actor clave para las investigaciones que esclarezcan el asesinato de nuestra compañera Ms. Cáceres, lo cual le pone en grave peligro.
> 
> Entiendo que la Embajada de México en Honduras ha estado tomando medidas para ayudar asegurar la seguridad de Gustavo. Sin embargo, ahora hemos escuchado que su salida de Honduras está siendo detenida y que no hay claridad sobre lo que está pasando. 
> 
> Además, entendemos que hay esfuerzos por parte de las autoridades hondureñas para criminalizar a miembros de la Coordinadora General del concejo cívico de organizaciones Populares e Indígenas (COPINH) en conexión con el brutal asesinato de Berta. Esto podría poner en peligro las vidas de los miembros de COPINH, así también podría ser orientado para distorsionar la investigación sobre el asesinato, la cual debería ser plena e imparcial, buscando los autores materiales e intelectuales por este crímen. 
> 
> Escribo para urgir que el gobierno Hondureño deje de criminalizar a los miembros de la COPINH y que se esclarezca porqué no se está dejando salir el compañero Gustavo. 
> 
> Además, solicito que tanto el gobierno Hondureño como la Embajada de México en Honduras garanticen la seguridad de Gustavo Castro en todo momento y asegure que liberen a Gustavo Castro de manera expeditada para que pueda regresar a México. 
> 
> Atentamente, 
> 
> [YOUR NAME AND ORGANIZATION]
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