/image%2F1034110%2F20221028%2Fob_0c2a43_thumbnail-13.jpeg)
[1]
Baroness Catherine ASHTON
European Commissioner for Trade
Ms Benita FERRERO-WALDNER
European Commissioner for External Relations
Mr Carl BILDT
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Ms Gunilla CARLSSON
Minister for International Development Cooperation, Sweden
Ewa BJÖRLING
Minister of Trade, Sweden
Brussels, 14 July 2009
Concerns regarding the human rights situation in Honduras – suspension of aid and
trade benefits
We, the undersigning civil society networks, are deeply concerned by the Coup d’Etat
that took place in Honduras on the 28th of June and the violations of human rights
following this event.
Since the Coup d’Etat in Honduras there have been numerous reports of violations of
human rights established in The UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, such as: the
right to not be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention (art.9), the right to liberty of
movement (art.12), freedom of expression (art.19), the right of peaceful assembly (art.21)
and freedom of association (art.22). Several UN independent experts on human rights
have expressed their concern over the human rights situation in Honduras, especially
[2]
regarding reported arrests, threats and acts of harassment against human rights defenders,
journalists and social leaders.1
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) have also expressed that
they are “deeply concerned over the executive decree 011-2009 adopted by the de facto
authorities in Honduras, through which fundamental rights have been restricted, such as
personal liberty, allowing incommunicado detention for more than 24 hours, freedom of
association and the right of assembly, as well as freedom of movement to leave, enter and
remain in the territory of Honduras.”2 The IACHR has also strongly condemned the
limitations to the freedom of expression in Honduras imposed after the Coup d’Etat3.
Following the coup and unsuccessful attempts by the Organisation of American States
(OAS) to restore democracy, the rule of law and President Zelaya in power in Honduras,
the OAS invoked for the first time Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter
and decided, as a means of pressure against the de facto regime, to suspend Honduras
from the organisation.
In accordance with article 37 of the Regulation No 1905/2006 of the European
Parliament and the Council, and Article 1 of the Framework cooperation agreement
between the EU and Central America (from 1993) the EU should immediately suspend
government aid to Honduras.
The general principles of the regulation no 1905/2006 are stated in Article 3:
“The Community is founded on the values of democracy, the rule of law, respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms and seeks to develop and consolidate
commitment to these values in partner countries and regions through dialogue
and cooperation.”
Article 37 established that:
“…where a partner country fails to observe the principles referred to in Article
3(1), and where consultations with the partner country do not lead to a solution
1 UN, Press release, Honduras: expertos de la ONU urgen al reestablecimiento inmediato de la democracia
y las libertades fundamentales, 2 July 2009, See on:
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/4467A6790B120E24C12575E700553F5E?opendocu
ment
2 Inter American Commission on Human Rights, Press Release, N° 47/09
3 Inter American Commission on Human Rights, Press Release, N° 44/09
http://cidh.org/Relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=753&lID=1
[3]
acceptable to both parties, or if consultations are refused or in cases of special
urgency, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the
Commission, may take appropriate measures in respect of any assistance granted
to the partner country under this Regulation. Such measures may include full or
partial suspension of assistance.”
Also, Article 1 of the Framework cooperation agreement between the EU and Central
America (from 1993) outlines the democratic basis for cooperation, stating that:
“Cooperation ties between the Community and Central America and this Agreement in its
entirety shall be based on respect for democratic principles and human rights, which
inspire the domestic and external policies of both the Community and Central America
and which constitute an essential component of this Agreement.”
In the framework of the EC Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 for Honduras 50% of the
overall budget is supposed to be delivered through Global Budget Support for the PRSP
and 20% to Justice and Public Security. Both sectors finance the government budget and
must be withdrawn in the current situation. The European Commission suspended budget
support disbursements to Nicaragua following alleged voting irregularities during the
November election. The Coup d’Etat in Honduras and the following events should mean
that at least these same measures be taken.
2. Investigation for a temporary withdrawal of GSP+ benefits
In accordance with the Regulation of the Council No 732/2008 applying a scheme of
generalised tariff preferences, the EU should initiate an investigation for the
temporary withdrawal of the preferences given to Honduras within the GSP+
framework.
Article 8 of the regulation states that the special incentive arrangement for sustainable
development and good governance outlined by the regulation may be granted to a country
which: “has ratified and effectively implemented all the conventions listed in Annex III”4,
of which the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is part.
According to Article 15 the special arrangements of the GSP+ can be withdrawn
temporarily in the case of “serious and systematic violation of principles laid down in
the conventions” included in the GSP+ framework, or if the legislation of these
conventions is not effectively implemented. The Commission should initiate a process, as
outlined in Articles 16-19 of the Regulation, to investigate the possibility of a temporary
withdrawal of the preferences of the GSP+.
The Coup d’Etat and the following violations of human rights should provide enough
basis to initiate such a process, and it would send an important message to de facto
regime of Honduras that the EU is taking the situation seriously and is prepared to use the
mechanisms available to put pressure on the de facto regime.
4 Regulation of the Council No 732/2008, Section 1, Article 8
[4]
3. Continue to freeze Association Agreement negotiations
In light of the situation in Honduras, we welcome the cancelling of the negotiations for an
association agreement between the European Union and Central America. The EU
should state publicly that negotiations, for an association agreement will not resume
until constitutional order is re-established in Honduras. The cancellation of the
negotiations should include the cancellation of all official rounds, technical working
meetings and bilateral contacts between the negotiation teams from the regions.
We sincerely hope that these considerations will be taken into account and that the EU
will use all available means to pressure for the reestablishment of democracy and the rule
of law, as well as the respect for human rights in Honduras.
Yours sincerely,
Magda STOCZKIEWICZ
Director – Friends of the Earth Europe
Souhayr BELHASSEN
President – FIDH
Martin WOLPOLD-BOSIEN
President – CIFCA
cc:
Governments of EU Member States
_________________________
Contact:
Ms Magda STOCZKIEWICZ
Director
Friends of the Earth Europe
Rue d’Edimbourg, 26
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium
Email: magda.stoczkiewicz@foeeurope.org
Original sur le site de "Latin America Solidarity Centre."
http://www.lasc.ie/news/Hondurasgolpeestado.html
Notes :
la FIDH est la fédération internationale des droits de l'Homme
la CIFCA est l'Initiative de Copenhague pour l'Amérique centrale et le Mexique
Friends of the Earth est "Amis de la Terre " une association, comme sont nom l'indique de défense des droits ds citoyennes et citoyens sà vivre sur terre dans le respect des humains et de la nature.
Baroness Catherine ASHTON
European Commissioner for Trade
Ms Benita FERRERO-WALDNER
European Commissioner for External Relations
Mr Carl BILDT
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sweden
Ms Gunilla CARLSSON
Minister for International Development Cooperation, Sweden
Ewa BJÖRLING
Minister of Trade, Sweden
Brussels, 14 July 2009
Concerns regarding the human rights situation in Honduras – suspension of aid and
trade benefits
We, the undersigning civil society networks, are deeply concerned by the Coup d’Etat
that took place in Honduras on the 28th of June and the violations of human rights
following this event.
Since the Coup d’Etat in Honduras there have been numerous reports of violations of
human rights established in The UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, such as: the
right to not be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention (art.9), the right to liberty of
movement (art.12), freedom of expression (art.19), the right of peaceful assembly (art.21)
and freedom of association (art.22). Several UN independent experts on human rights
have expressed their concern over the human rights situation in Honduras, especially
[2]
regarding reported arrests, threats and acts of harassment against human rights defenders,
journalists and social leaders.1
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) have also expressed that
they are “deeply concerned over the executive decree 011-2009 adopted by the de facto
authorities in Honduras, through which fundamental rights have been restricted, such as
personal liberty, allowing incommunicado detention for more than 24 hours, freedom of
association and the right of assembly, as well as freedom of movement to leave, enter and
remain in the territory of Honduras.”2 The IACHR has also strongly condemned the
limitations to the freedom of expression in Honduras imposed after the Coup d’Etat3.
Following the coup and unsuccessful attempts by the Organisation of American States
(OAS) to restore democracy, the rule of law and President Zelaya in power in Honduras,
the OAS invoked for the first time Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter
and decided, as a means of pressure against the de facto regime, to suspend Honduras
from the organisation.
The European Union has condemned the coup, postponed the negotiation round for an
association agreement with Central America and has recalled for consultation the
ambassador of the local EU presidency and all EU ambassadors have left Honduras. We
welcome these actions by the EU, but are concerned that despite flagrant violations of
democracy and human rights, the EU has not yet taken any initiative to suspend its
development cooperation with Honduras, nor have steps been taken to withdraw
Honduras’ trade benefits within the GSP+ framework. We therefore call upon the
European Union to take the following actions:
1. Suspension of aidassociation agreement with Central America and has recalled for consultation the
ambassador of the local EU presidency and all EU ambassadors have left Honduras. We
welcome these actions by the EU, but are concerned that despite flagrant violations of
democracy and human rights, the EU has not yet taken any initiative to suspend its
development cooperation with Honduras, nor have steps been taken to withdraw
Honduras’ trade benefits within the GSP+ framework. We therefore call upon the
European Union to take the following actions:
In accordance with article 37 of the Regulation No 1905/2006 of the European
Parliament and the Council, and Article 1 of the Framework cooperation agreement
between the EU and Central America (from 1993) the EU should immediately suspend
government aid to Honduras.
The general principles of the regulation no 1905/2006 are stated in Article 3:
“The Community is founded on the values of democracy, the rule of law, respect
for human rights and fundamental freedoms and seeks to develop and consolidate
commitment to these values in partner countries and regions through dialogue
and cooperation.”
Article 37 established that:
“…where a partner country fails to observe the principles referred to in Article
3(1), and where consultations with the partner country do not lead to a solution
1 UN, Press release, Honduras: expertos de la ONU urgen al reestablecimiento inmediato de la democracia
y las libertades fundamentales, 2 July 2009, See on:
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/4467A6790B120E24C12575E700553F5E?opendocu
ment
2 Inter American Commission on Human Rights, Press Release, N° 47/09
3 Inter American Commission on Human Rights, Press Release, N° 44/09
http://cidh.org/Relatoria/showarticle.asp?artID=753&lID=1
[3]
acceptable to both parties, or if consultations are refused or in cases of special
urgency, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the
Commission, may take appropriate measures in respect of any assistance granted
to the partner country under this Regulation. Such measures may include full or
partial suspension of assistance.”
Also, Article 1 of the Framework cooperation agreement between the EU and Central
America (from 1993) outlines the democratic basis for cooperation, stating that:
“Cooperation ties between the Community and Central America and this Agreement in its
entirety shall be based on respect for democratic principles and human rights, which
inspire the domestic and external policies of both the Community and Central America
and which constitute an essential component of this Agreement.”
In the framework of the EC Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013 for Honduras 50% of the
overall budget is supposed to be delivered through Global Budget Support for the PRSP
and 20% to Justice and Public Security. Both sectors finance the government budget and
must be withdrawn in the current situation. The European Commission suspended budget
support disbursements to Nicaragua following alleged voting irregularities during the
November election. The Coup d’Etat in Honduras and the following events should mean
that at least these same measures be taken.
2. Investigation for a temporary withdrawal of GSP+ benefits
In accordance with the Regulation of the Council No 732/2008 applying a scheme of
generalised tariff preferences, the EU should initiate an investigation for the
temporary withdrawal of the preferences given to Honduras within the GSP+
framework.
Article 8 of the regulation states that the special incentive arrangement for sustainable
development and good governance outlined by the regulation may be granted to a country
which: “has ratified and effectively implemented all the conventions listed in Annex III”4,
of which the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is part.
According to Article 15 the special arrangements of the GSP+ can be withdrawn
temporarily in the case of “serious and systematic violation of principles laid down in
the conventions” included in the GSP+ framework, or if the legislation of these
conventions is not effectively implemented. The Commission should initiate a process, as
outlined in Articles 16-19 of the Regulation, to investigate the possibility of a temporary
withdrawal of the preferences of the GSP+.
The Coup d’Etat and the following violations of human rights should provide enough
basis to initiate such a process, and it would send an important message to de facto
regime of Honduras that the EU is taking the situation seriously and is prepared to use the
mechanisms available to put pressure on the de facto regime.
4 Regulation of the Council No 732/2008, Section 1, Article 8
[4]
3. Continue to freeze Association Agreement negotiations
In light of the situation in Honduras, we welcome the cancelling of the negotiations for an
association agreement between the European Union and Central America. The EU
should state publicly that negotiations, for an association agreement will not resume
until constitutional order is re-established in Honduras. The cancellation of the
negotiations should include the cancellation of all official rounds, technical working
meetings and bilateral contacts between the negotiation teams from the regions.
We sincerely hope that these considerations will be taken into account and that the EU
will use all available means to pressure for the reestablishment of democracy and the rule
of law, as well as the respect for human rights in Honduras.
Yours sincerely,
Magda STOCZKIEWICZ
Director – Friends of the Earth Europe
Souhayr BELHASSEN
President – FIDH
Martin WOLPOLD-BOSIEN
President – CIFCA
cc:
Governments of EU Member States
_________________________
Contact:
Ms Magda STOCZKIEWICZ
Director
Friends of the Earth Europe
Rue d’Edimbourg, 26
B-1050 Brussels
Belgium
Email: magda.stoczkiewicz@foeeurope.org
Original sur le site de "Latin America Solidarity Centre."
http://www.lasc.ie/news/Hondurasgolpeestado.html
Notes :
la FIDH est la fédération internationale des droits de l'Homme
la CIFCA est l'Initiative de Copenhague pour l'Amérique centrale et le Mexique
Friends of the Earth est "Amis de la Terre " une association, comme sont nom l'indique de défense des droits ds citoyennes et citoyens sà vivre sur terre dans le respect des humains et de la nature.
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