Honduras: 59 journalists murdered since US-backed coup

April 17, 2016
Issue 

Since the 2009 US-backed coup that removed elected President Manuel Zelaya, 59 journalists have been assassinated in Honduras, with four murdered this year. Last year, 12 journalists were murdered.

In April last year, the Honduras National Congress approved the Journalist Protection Law, which included measures like providing police protection when a journalist receives a threat. The law also planned the creation of a centre monitoring threat follow-ups, although the government has not yet approved the budget.

In four years of former president Profirio Lobo's government, 30 journalists were murdered. In the current government headed by President Juan Orlando Hernandez, 22 journalists have been assassinated in just over two years since he took office. These two post-coup presidencies have been accused of systematic human rights abuses and corruption.

The attorney-general's office has only processed six cases, while only four people have been prosecuted and sent to jail. There has not been any investigation into who ordered these crimes and the motivations behind each one.

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