Case History: Calixto Vásquez
On 3 November 2014, indigenous human rights defender Mr Calixto Vásquez was released following his arrest earlier that day during a peaceful protest against the proposed construction of a hydroelectric dam.
Calixto Vásquez is an active member of La Coordinadora Indígena del Poder Popular de Honduras - CINPH (Civic Council of Popular Indigenous Organisations) and a member of the Consejo Indígena de Monte Copado (Indigenous Council of Monte Copado). CINPH is an organisation that works for the defence of the land and the environment, and for improving the living conditions of communities and indigenous peoples in Honduras. He is also involved in the Movimiento Indígena Lenca de La Paz – MILPA (Lenca de La Paz Indigenous Movement), which has confronted a number of municipalities over their violation of the rights of indigenous communities.
On 3 November 2014, indigenous human rights defender Mr Calixto Vásquez was released following his arrest earlier that day during a peaceful protest against the proposed construction of a hydroelectric dam.
Calixto Vásquez is an active member of La Coordinadora Indígena del Poder Popular de Honduras - CINPH (Civic Council of Popular Indigenous Organisations) and a member of the Consejo Indígena de Monte Copado (Indigenous Council of Monte Copado). CINPH is an organisation that works for the defence of the land and the environment, and for improving the living conditions of communities and indigenous peoples in Honduras. He is also involved in the Movimiento Indígena Lenca de La Paz – MILPA (Lenca de La Paz Indigenous Movement), which has confronted a number of municipalities over their violation of the rights of indigenous communities.
On 3 November 2014, at approximately 9 a.m., Calixto Vásquez was taking part in a peaceful protest march from the Llano Largo community to Santa Elena when he was detained in front of the town hall in Santa Elena. The protest was against the proposed construction of a hydroelectric dam in the area that would affect many Lenca indigenous communities in the La Paz and Intibucá provinces. He was brought to the police station in Marcala and was released later the same day, without charge.
Front Line Defenders considers the detention of Calixto Vásquez to be motivated solely by his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights in Honduras, particularly indigenous people's rights. This is the latest in a series of instances of repression against, and attempts to criminalise, indigenous communities who work peacefully for the defence of land and natural resources in Honduras.
