SNJM Support For The Protection of Human Rights And The Environment In Honduras

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) of Quebec have sent over a hundred signatures in support of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada’s “United for the Earth” campaign.

Following the presentation of the campaign’s objectives  at Maison Jésus-Marie last November, several Sisters signed the letter addressed to the Honduran ambassador to Canada. Others circulated the document to gather further support. The objective of Development and Peace is to send 32,000 signatures by the end of February, i.e. 1,000 signatures for each of the 32 people charged at Camp Guapinol.

Among other things, the letter to the ambassador calls on the Honduran government to take legal action against those involved in the deaths of three Guapinol defenders. It also calls for fair compensation for the victims, an end to mining activities in Carlos Escaleras National Park and its restoration, the cancellation of all irregularly issued mining permits, and better protection for human rights and environmental defenders.

Honduras is the fifth most dangerous country in the world for environmental, water and land protection activists. This campaign was initiated at the request of ERIC-Radio Progreso, Honduran partner of  Development and Peace – Caritas.