PBI-Honduras visits community of Nueva Esperanza after their violent eviction and the destruction of their homes and crops

On February 7, PBI-Honduras tweeted:

“Last week we visited the community of Nueva Esperanza, El Eden, Comayagua, after being violently evicted. Their houses, belongings and crops were destroyed and burned. @COPINHHONDURAS denounces that the harassment continues.”

They add:

“PBI we are concerned about the situation of risk, violence and criminalization experienced by the community of Nueva Esperanza for defending access to land. We are closely following the case after the summons to appear in the Comayagua Court today.”

On Facebook, they also explained:

“Last week we visited the community of Nueva Esperanza in El Eden, Comayagua, after being violently evicted last February 2. The community is made up of 24 families whose homes, belongings and crops were destroyed and burned. COPINH reports that the harassment continues by private security and the National Police. From PBI we show concern for the situation of risk, violence and criminalization experienced by the community of New Esperanza for defending access to land. We follow closely the case after the summons for sympathy in the Comayagua Court today.”

COPINH has posted on Facebook:

“#Alert | Harassment continues against the community of Nueva Esperanza, in Eden, Comayagua

After the eviction in which the houses, property and crops of the people of COPINH were destroyed and burned in this area, the community continues to demand their right to land.

We denounce the private armed security that has harassed the community and threatened female companions to sexually assault them. This guard is under the responsibilities of UNAG [National University of Agriculture] authorities, according to their own statements, which is the institution that has promoted the complaint to the community.

The colleagues have been summoned by the Court of Comayagua to appear in court on Tuesday, February 7.

The land belongs to the one who takes care of it and works!”

PBI-Honduras has accompanied the Civic Council of Grassroots and Indigenous Organizations in Honduras (COPINH) since May 2016.