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Rights Action
January 3, 2018
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Breaking new: Canada’s Globe & Mail and CBC report on electoral fraud protests and killings in Honduras …
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What's happening in [Honduras]? A guide to the protests
Wire Services and Globe & Mail Staff, January 2, 2018
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/iran-protests-explainer/article37471990/
Demonstrations against economic malaise, the nation's leadership, [corruption, repression and electoral fraud] have led to deadly violence and a crackdown from [Tegucigalpa]. Here's a primer how they began, what's at stake and how they compare with previous unrest in 2009.
Dec. 30, 2017: A [Honduran] woman raises her fist amid the smoke of tear gas at the University of [Tegucigalpa] during a protest driven by anger over economic problems, [government repression, corruption and electoral fraud].
At least [40] people have been killed and hundreds arrested in [Honduras] since [Nov.26], when nationwide protests over [the U.S. and Canadian-backed regime’s electoral fraud and repression] escalated into a large-scale confrontation with the [regime’s] leadership, the largest since [the U.S. and Canadian-backed military coup in] 2009.
Here are some of the main takeaways from recent days:
Monday and Tuesday: TV reported nine people killed in clashes between protesters and security forces on Monday night. The report alleged that some rioters tried to storm a police station to steal weapons. It was the second-deadliest night of protests after Sunday night, when some 10 people were reported killed.
Tuesday: Supreme Leader [Juan Orlando Hernandez, known as JOH] accused the “enemies of [Honduras]” of meddling in the country’s affairs, his first comments since the protests began.
How this started
Discontent has been brewing for [8 years] as [Hondurans] have failed to see [any change in exploitation and poverty, and government repression, corruption and impunity born out of the 2009 military coup.] [Even] economic indexes have [not] improved under President JOH, [while] unemployment has risen since last year and youth unemployment is high.
An overwhelmingly youthful population is far more interested in jobs and change than in the [regime’s “Honduran Is Open For Business”] idealism and anti-[socialist rhetoric] of the [2009 coup] that the [U.S. and Canadian-backed] old guard clings to.
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[Honduras'] supreme leader blames protests on meddling by 'enemies' as death toll rises. Prominent judge warns some demonstrators could face death penalty
The Associated Press, Jan 02, 2018
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/iran-protests-nine-killed-protests-police-1.4469585
[Honduras’] supreme leader on Tuesday blamed the protests roiling the country on "enemies of [Honduras]" who he said were meddling in its internal affairs, as state television reported that overnight clashes between protesters and security forces killed another nine people.
The demonstrations, the largest in [Honduras] since its disputed 2009 [U.S. and Canadian-backed military coup], have brought [thirty-six] days of unrest across the country and resulted in at least [40] deaths.
The protests began Thursday over [Honduras’ fraudulent and repressive elections, and now endemic corruption, impunity, poverty and repression]. They have since expanded to several cities, with some protesters chanting against the government and the supreme leader, [Juan Orlando Hernandez, known as JOH]. Hundreds of people have been arrested and a prominent judge on Tuesday warned that some could face the death penalty.
President [JOH] speaks during a cabinet meeting in [Tegucigalpa] on Sunday. [JOH] said people have the right to protest but demonstrations should not make the public 'feel concerned about their lives and security.' ([Honduran] Presidency Office via Associated Press)
In comments posted to his official website, [JOH] appeared to blame foreign nations for at least exacerbating the unrest gripping Iran. "In the recent days' incidents, enemies of [Honduras] have utilized various means — including money, weapons, politics and intelligence apparatuses — to create problems for the [Honduran] system," he said, in his first public remarks since the demonstrations began. [JOH] said he would elaborate further in the coming days. [Honduran] leaders often accuse [Venezuela, Cuba and Bolivia] of seeking to overthrow the [oligarchic] overseen government.
State TV reported that six people were killed during a [protest by] a police station in the town of [La Ceiba]. It said the clashes were sparked by [women and children] who tried to [protest the fraudulent elections].
State TV also said an 11-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were killed in the town of [El Progreso], while a member of [Honduras'] paramilitary [Batallon 316] forces was killed in the town of [Choluteca, by friendly fire].
[…]
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday wrote on Twitter that "the people of [Honduras] are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt [Honduran] regime."
"All of the money that President Obama [and the U.S. and Canadian governments, the World Bank, Aura Minerals, Gilden Activewear, Hanes, the Canadian “tourism mafia”, and more] so foolishly gave them went into State terrorism and into their 'pockets,"' Trump wrote, apparently referring to the “Free Trade agreement”] reached under [Prime Minister Harper]. "The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!"
✔@realDonaldTrump
The people of [Honduras] are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt [Honduran] regime. All of the money that President Obama [and the U.S. and Canadian governments, the World Bank, Aura Minerals, Gilden Activewear, Hanes, the Canadian “tourism mafia”, and more] so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their “pockets.” The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!
[…] etcetera.
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Rights Action correction
Our mistake. These articles are not about Honduras, a staunch U.S. and Canadian ally. Rather, they are about Iran, a necessary enemy of the U.S. and Canada. Warmongering with “enemies” is necessary to rally the public, media and acceptable opinion-makers around the flag, and support the armaments industry, war employees and their multiple private and pension fund investors.
While once again trotting out and drumming up self-righteous warrior feelings about Iran, the Globe & Mail, CBC and virtually all of Canada’s mainstream media have not reported on the corruption and repression of the Canadian and U.S.-backed regime in power in Honduras since the 2009 military coup; on the hundreds assassinated and killed since 2009; on the over 40 people killed since the stolen November 26, 2017 election; on the extensive harms and violations caused by Canadian and U.S. companies in the sectors of mining, “sweatshop” garment factories, tourism, and more.
Rights Action question
Why and how are our media, acceptable opinion makers and politicians deleting this on-going story of U.S. and Canadian public policy contributing to suffering and death, corruption and impunity in Honduras?
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