Day 5 after the Coup - e-mail dated 3rd July

Dear Friends,

A warm greeting from Honduras where we are living some difficult and uncertain times. Maybe some of you are aware of recent events and some of the reasons that have provoked them.

Without doubt the country is polarized and almost all of the politicians are guilty of corruption and abuse of power. However, the manner in which President Mel Zelaya was forcefully removed from his home and Presidency, and the subsequent abuse of power by the de facto government is not justifiable under any circumstances.

The reasons, protagonists and objectives of the recent days are complex. In Honduras 65% of the population lives in poverty, 47% live in extreme poverty. The poorest 20% of the country only earn 3% of the total income. However there is a wealth of natural resources including the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, metals and minerals, fertile, tropical land and hard working people.

However, the root of the problem is the lack of distribution of political and economic power, which is concentrated in the hands of a few families, business owners and congressmen. Some of the recent initiatives that made Zelaya popular with the poor was the doubling of the minimum wage to cover the cost of the bread basket, school snacks for children, break-up and of the petrol monopoly and subsequent reduced prices, financial benefits to the poorest people and free primary and secondary school matriculation. It is important to mention that Zelaya also had not completed many important tasks such as confirming the 2009 Budget, being able to the re-construct 16 following tropical storm and June´s earthquakes, and ineffectively and possibly corruptly using the budget for the Eradication of Poverty Program.

Mel Zelaya had proposed reforms which could have lead to greater participation and representation of the people in congress as well as other possible changes to the constitution which would include the use of natural resources for the benefit of the country and nationalisation of industries. The powerful oligarchy responded by using congress to ensure the illegality of the process, eventually culminating with a military coup which was a result of the Zelaya at the last minute making Sunday 28 June ballot legally binding. Zelaya was ousted with the use of the armed forces and simultaneously a card appeared signed by him resigning from his post (the authenticity of this card has yet to be proved). The military coup is the first time this has happened in Honduras since 1982.

I would like to explain how we have been living here for the past few days. Two nights ago (Wednesday 1 July) the de facto government approved a decree which calls for a curfew between 9pm and 6am in the capital. In other parts of the country this is between 6pm and 6am. During these hours the following rights have been suspended:

Right to free circulation, freedom to associate as groups or to manifest, sanctity of residence, right to private property, freedom of the press, and sharing of ideas and opinions, personal liberty which includes the rights to be detained in police quarters for more than 24 hours without charges, among others

This decree is a violation of human rights as the only person who is able to pass this decree is the President who has not been recognised by the United Nations, Organisation of American States, ALBA among others.

Below is a summary of some the actions undertaken by de facto government:

Wednesday 1 July
80 people detained. Social leaders are being threatened, detained and forced to hide. Young men from rural zones in Olancho and Colon are being forced to support the army and are being taken to the capital to support the illegal government.

Thursday 2 July
175 people detained. 300 people from the village of Bonito Oriental, Colon were stopped by the police and armed forces whilst beginning their journey to support the arrival of Manuel Zelaya. They were beaten heavily by the police.

During a march of 12,000 people in San Pedro Sula the police fire bullets, used tear gas and wounded 20 marchers with numerous people detained.

The removal of the Mayor of San Pedro Sula. He was replaced by the nephew of Roberto Michelleti, the current President of the de facto government.

Buses are being held by the police and army prohibiting their travel to Tegucigalpa. Known social leaders are being detained. There have been cases of the military shooting the tyres of the buses so that they cannot continue their journey.

Television and radio stations that condemn the coup have been closed. Some of the stations are also surrounded by the military. Radio Globo is the only radio station transmitting which allows people to express their views. They were shut for some time and there is constant interference in the signal. In this moment the website of telesur has been blocked, which was the case with Radio Globo yesterday.

On a national level, there is only one station that emits news regarding the marches against the illegal government. The other stations do not transit any news regarding the actions of support for Mel Zelaya and have stopped being news stations and are now propaganda employees for the illegal government.

There have been marches in favour and against this illegal government. In the case of the march in favour of the illegal government some workers are being forced by their employees to attend the march of face the loss of their jobs. As for the marches against the illegal government there is a strong military presence and the threat of violence. In various occasions the military have used tear gas and have beaten the marchers.

One song that can be heard in the marches against a non-elected government and the reinstatement of Mel Zelaya as President:

“We are not five, we are not a ten

Sold out press count us again”

You can show your solidarity with the Honduran people who do not want this illegal, repressive, government. There are several ways:

· - Discussing with your friends and family the current situation of Honduras

· - Make comments of support on newspaper or news websites e.g. BBC website

· - If you feel very strongly please write to you local MP

· - Visiting the following website and sign your name in support.

www.todosconhonduras.cult.cu/index.php?lang=2

Useful websites are difficult to find in English but you can use the google translator to obtain an idea of themes of discussion. Below are various websites that you can visit for more information:

www.elheraldo.hn Honduran national daily newspaper. In support of the illegal government.

www.telesur.com TV channel which is part of the Venezuela government. Have been covering events in the country since Sunday 28 June. For those of you who understand some Spanish the audio/video link is a good resource.

www.radioglobo.com The only radio station still on air that criticises the illegal government.

http://hondurasresistencia.blogspot.com/
A blog with experiences and pictures of events in Honduras.

In the five months that I have been here I have seen the beauty of my fellow countrymen and women and the need for the country to provide equal opportunities for all. Please show your support for the Honduran people.

Best Wishes