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C O N F I D E N T I A L TEGUCIGALPA 000589 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2019 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI DS SNAR HO
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION POST-COUP UPDATE 3 
 
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 584 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Hugo Llorens for reasons 1.4 (b and d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  The human rights situation in Honduran 
appeared to deteriorate over the weekend as two pro-Zelaya 
political organizers were killed, a dissident member of 
Congress reported that her home was raided, and 11 Venezuelan 
reporters were arrested and then strongly encouraged to leave 
the country.  On July 12, the de facto regime lifted the 
curfew that had been in place since the coup and was seen by 
some as a means of stifling dissent.  Human rights NGOs 
report that on July 13, the Supreme Court approved the 
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) June 30 
request to enter Honduras and investigate alleged human 
rights violations.  The Embassy continues to raise strong 
concerns over specific cases and the general deterioration of 
human rights publicly and in private meetings.  End Summary 
 
---------------------- 
Leftist Leaders Killed 
---------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Press reported that Bloque Popular leader and 
Democratic Unification (UD) Party member Roger Bados, 
described as a 54-year-old militant leftist activist, was 
shot multiple times in the back and neck at his home in San 
Pedro Sula on the evening of July 11 by a group of masked 
individuals.  Bados's niece and sister were also wounded in 
the gunfire.  Press also reported that UD party member Ramon 
Garcia was forced at gunpoint out of a public bus in Santa 
Barbara and later killed by unknown assailants. 
 
------------------------------ 
Congresswoman Margarita Zelaya 
------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (C) According to Margarita Zelaya, Liberal Party 
Congresswoman from Cortes Department and cousin of President 
Zelaya, her house was raided for the second time in recent 
weeks by soldiers.  Zelaya, who is one of a group of Liberal 
members of Congress who have publicly denounced the June 28 
coup and plan to travel to Washington next week to give their 
version of recent events, said she did not report the first 
instance out of fear.  She said she was not informed of the 
reason for the raid and remains worried for her safety. 
Human rights NGOs have requested that the Inter-American 
Commission on Human Rights (CIDH) add her name to its list of 
Hondurans for whom they demand "protective measures" be 
taken. 
 
-------------------------- 
Telesur Reporters Arrested 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Upon returning to their hotel just before the 11 p.m. 
curfew on July 11, eleven Venezuelan journalists from the 
"Telesur" TV network were arrested by 15 policemen on charges 
relating to owing payments on their rental car.  The 
journalists were held until 3 a.m., when Venezuelan 
Ambassador Jose Armando Laguna intervened on their behalf. 
All eleven made official complaints with Human Rights 
Prosecutor Sandra Ponce July 12 and left the country as they 
had been advised to do by the police. 
 
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Comment 
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¶5. (SBU) These events are especially troubling as they appear 
to represent a deterioration in the human rights situation, 
from one weighted towards legislative and regulatory issues 
to more targeted, violent actions.  Post will continue to 
raise alleged human rights abuses and specific cases with the 
Attorney General (on July 13, 
for example, the Ambassador sent a letter to the AG on Dr. 
Luther Castillo, a doctor and NGO activist concerned for his 
safety) , as well as liaise with human rights NGOs who have 
become the not only the promoters of human rights but also 
the protectors of human rights in the absence of impartial 
government institutions.  End Comment. 
LLORENS