overcoming the obstacles: human rights activists in guatemala and honduras part 1...

i spent a month in alta verapaz guatemala back in 95' and even though the civil war had officially ended about a year earlier it was still a dangerous place...twelve years later it's still the case...and while honduras was the seat of u.s. intervention back in the 80's it too today is a dangerous place to live and seek justice...

reports of killings, death threats, harassment and intimidation of human rights activists continue to be commonplace in Guatemala and Honduras.

for you see many defenders of human rights are subjected to unfounded investigations and malicious prosecutions...their offices and homes are placed under surveillance, while at the same time important human rights information and documents are stolen to obstruct their human rights work...

and in some cases, grave violations result in activists having to stop, or radically curtail, their human rights activities...direct attacks or threats to their lives sometimes mean that they are forced to flee their homes or even countries...

and grass-roots defenders working on economic, social and cultural rights in remote areas face special challenges as their work is less visible...an atmosphere of impunity sometimes makes it impossible to continue human rights work without risking their lives and the lives of loved ones...

because for sure most of those who commit violations against human rights defenders evade justice, and investigations into abuses against activists are grossly inadequate...such violations also have wider repercussions -- they create a climate of fear...

and in spite of these threats and this danger human rights activists often feel privileged to do their work, despite suffering intimidation and impingements on their liberty...they fight injustice and make a positive change in society...their work and achievements have an impact on human rights worldwide...

governments have obligations to take action against those who hamper or threaten the work of human rights defenders...no one should have to live or work like this...

so let's take this imagining to the next level you n' me...a real honest to goodness day in the life of a human rights activist in guatemala or honduras -- imagine what that means...

stay tuned -- continued in part ii...

peace out <3