PBI-Honduras issues ALERT on the increasing risks face by the Trans Women’s Collective

On July 22, the Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project issued ALERT: THE RISK AND VULNERABILITY OF THE TRANS WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE CONTINUES TO INCREASE; MURDER OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER AND MEMBER OF THE RAINBOW ASSOCIATON SCARLET CAMBEL that states:

The objective of this ALERT is to show our concern about the continuous increase in attacks against members of the LGTBIQ + community, especially trans women.

Similarly draw attention to its historical situation of vulnerability increased during the COVID19 health emergency and in which the LGTBIQ + group has not been considered a priority by the Government to receive government aid.

Since the curfew began on March 16, we have received information on at least fifteen violations of human rights against trans women, who join the great increase in domestic violence as a consequence of the lockdown.

According to the Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders, 96% of crimes committed against the LGTBIQ+ collective in the last 10 years remain unpunished.

According to the testimonies, state security agents and private security agents from centers are identified as aggressors. A fact that makes it difficult to file complaints, thus contributing to crimes remaining in the impunity.

On April 15, Scarlet and two companions reported having been attacked by a military patrol in the center of Tegucigalpa under the pretext of curfew implemented by the pandemic; they were also threatened with disappearance if they denounced the incident.

On the night of July 10, a group of trans women were attacked by unknown persons in the center of Tegucigalpa. The men arrived in a car without a license plate and began shooting directly at Scarlet Cambel, Human Rights defender and member of the LGBT Rainbow Association, who ended up dying as consequence of the shooting.

The shared figures and data reflect the violence and structural exclusion faced by trans women who are they are part of broader processes of lack of public policies with a differentiated approach.

Based on this information, we urge the international community:

– Request the competent authorities to guarantee compliance with due process in the case of Scarfe Cambel’s transfemicide, as well as in other reported cases that remain in impunity, developing an immediate, exhaustive and impartial investigation, without re-victimization and that complies with justice and the reparation of the comprehensive damage caused to the victim and her loved ones.

– Request to the National Mechanism for the Protection of the Honduran State the rapid and effective implementation of collective protection measures to the Rainbow Association with a differential approach and that these can be extended to the whole of the trans collective.

To read the full ALERT and all the recommendations, please click on EL RIESGO Y LA VULNERABILIDAD DEL COLECTIVO DE MUJERES TRANS SIGUE EN AUMENTO.