Violence against Indigenous rights defenders continues in Honduras as yet another activist was murdered on Wednesday, July 6, 2016. A woman identified as Lesbia Yaneth Urquia was found dead near a garbage facility in Marcala with several head wounds. Her death is the latest in a series of murders of human rights activists in Honduras, including her colleagues Berta Cáceres and Nelson Garcia.
By Stephanie Borcea
On March 15, 2016, Nelson Garcia, a member of the same Indigenous rights group as Berta Caceres was assassinated in Honduras. Garcia was killed by four gunshots to the face in the Rio Chiquito community, less than two weeks after Caceres’ murder.
The international community has been reeling after the gunning down of Indigenous Lenca activist Berta Caceres of Honduras, well known and loved around the world for her dedication and commitment to her community, their lands, and protecting the environment.
Photo by Felipe Canova. Forum on Land grabbing in Latin America, La Ceiba, 2011.
Conflicts over land rights, violence and impunity, and lack of adequate social service were major topics of discussion with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Vicky Tauli Corpuz during her official country visit to Honduras over nine days in November 2015.
Land Acknowledgement
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