VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTG #0181/01 0572311
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 262311Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0010
INFO WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR JTF-BRAVO
RHMFISS/COMSOCSOUTH
RHMFISS/DIRJIATF SOUTH
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEIDN/DNI WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000181 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM HO
SUBJECT: Lobo Commits Honduras to Protection of Human Rights 
 
REF: TEGUCIGALPA 145; TEGUCIGALPA 65; 09 TEGUCIGALPA 1202 
09 TEGUCIGALPA 989 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  President Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo signed the 
Chapultepec Declaration on press freedom in Tegucigalpa on February 
18 and committed the Honduran government to support freedom of the 
press and human rights.  Lobo's government abrogated on February 16 
a disarmament decree enacted by the de facto regime in November 
2009 and the National Congress recommended on February 9 that the 
Council of Ministers abrogate another de facto decree that 
empowered the National Telecommunications Commission (CONATEL) to 
revoke media licenses.  These actions follow the January 20 signing 
by President Lobo in the Dominican Republic of the "Agreement for 
National Reconciliation and Strengthening of Democracy in Honduras" 
in which Lobo pledged to preside over a government that respects 
human rights.  President Lobo appears committed to improving the 
human rights situation in Honduras, which had deteriorated 
significantly in the wake of the coup.  End Summary. 
 
 
 
Lobo Signs Declaration of Chapultepec 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) President Porforio "Pepe" Lobo signed the Chapultepec 
Declaration on February 18 in Tegucigalpa during a press freedom 
forum organized by the Inter-American Press Society (SIP) and 
hosted by the Central American Technological University (UNITEC). 
The event received widespread coverage in national daily 
newspapers, including "El Tiempo," "La Prensa," and "El Heraldo." 
An article in the February 19 "El Heraldo" reported that during the 
event, President Lobo said the Honduran government was committed to 
investigating all allegations of human rights violations that have 
been raised in past years and quoted President Lobo as saying 
"believe me, sincerely, I respect human rights... and I am very 
strongly committed to respect for the unrestricted liberties of 
thought and opinion and this government requests your help to 
achieve this."  Many press articles also reported that during 
President Lobo's remarks, he cited his experience in the 1980's as 
president of Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the 
Department of Olancho. 
 
 
 
¶3. (U) Note: Adopted by the Hemisphere Conference on Free Speech in 
Mexico City on March 11, 1994, the Chapultepec Declaration 
establishes the central role of public freedoms and human rights, 
especially the freedom of press, in the consolidation of democracy. 
 
The declaration affirms 10 principles outlining the importance of 
the freedom of expression and of the press.  End Note. 
 
 
 
Lobo Government Abrogates Decree Passed by De Facto Regime 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
 
 
¶4. (U) The Council of Ministers voted on February 16 to abrogate 
executive decree PCM-M-031-2009, which was enacted by the de facto 
regime on November 21, 2009 and allowed for the revocation of all 
permits to carry firearms ahead of the November 29 general 
elections (ref C).  A February 17 article in "El Heraldo" reported 
that an estimated 853 legally registered firearms and an unknown 
number of illegally registered firearms were confiscated under the 
disarmament decree.  (Note: Under the Honduran law "Control of Arms 
and Explosives," Hondurans are allowed to possess up to five 
firearms with a permit.  End note.) 
 
¶5. (U) The congress unanimously approved a February 9 motion 
presented by member of congress Edwin Pavon, a member of the 
Democratic Union party representing the Department of Cortes, 
requesting that the Council of Ministers abrogate executive decree 
124-2009.  Decree 124-2009 was enacted by the de facto regime on 
October 5, 2009 and authorized CONATEL to cancel licenses of media 
outlets that "violate national security and public order" (ref D). 
The Council of Ministers had not yet taken action on the 
Congressional recommendation as of February 25. 
 
 
 
The Agreement with President Fernandez 
 
-------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶6. (U) The signing of the Chapultepec Declaration by President Lobo 
followed the commitment President Lobo made when he signed the 
January 20 "Agreement for National Reconciliation and Strengthening 
of Democracy in Honduras" with President of the Dominican Republic 
President Leonel Fernandez (ref B).  In the agreement, then 
President-elect Lobo committed himself to "head a government that 
respects human rights, in which there is full enjoyment of civil 
liberties and where no Honduran citizen is persecuted for his 
political, religious, or other convictions." 
 
 
 
Comment 
 
------- 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) There was a serious deterioration in human rights during 
under the de facto Micheletti regime.  While facing multiple and 
serious problems brought on by the political and economic crises, 
the Lobo government understands the importance of human rights and 
has made a strong and early public commitment to their protection. 
In our dealings with the new ministers of the Lobo government, 
including Minister of Security Oscar Alvarez (ref A), we have found 
that these interlocutors take the issue of human rights abuses 
seriously and have expressed a genuine willingness to investigate 
the wrongs committed prior to Lobo taking office.  We will continue 
to support efforts by the Lobo government to keep human rights 
protections at the forefront. 
LLORENS