The Coalition for Human Rights in Development expresses our deep sadness and outrage at the assassination this week of indigenous leader and environmental activist Berta Cáceres. Berta was the coordinator and co-founder of the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras, COPINH. She fought to defend the Lenca indigenous people, threatened by the construction of the Agua Zarca dam. We also express our great concern for the safety of Coalition member Gustavo Castro Soto of Otros Mundos, who was also wounded in the attack.
Our solidarity is with Berta and Gonzalo’s families, COPINH, and all those who struggle for human rights and environmental justice in the face of destructive development. The international community and the institutions which finance development activities, including Agua Zarca’s current investors – the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) and Finnfund, must act now to ensure the safety of environmental and human rights defenders.
Read the statement by COPINH here.
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