Ambassadors of the EU, Spain, Germany and France condemn the assassination of Honduran environmental defender Juan Lopez

Published by Brent Patterson on September 17, 2024

The following is our English translation of the text in Spanish (also included above) of the statement that was tweeted by the European Union in Honduras and reposted by the embassies of Spain, Germany and France in Honduras:

#TeamEurope

The ambassadors of the European Union, Spain, Germany and France in Honduras condemn in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Juan Lopez, a committed environmental defender and coordinator of the Municipal Committee of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa. We express our condolences and solidarity to his family, his loved ones and the entire community of human rights and environmental defenders.

We urge the authorities to immediately carry out a thorough investigation to bring all those responsible for this cowardly crime to justice. Swift, effective and exemplary measures need to be put in place to find the source of the threats faced by human rights and environmental defenders.

This murder is part of a disturbingly long list of murders. Impunity must be combated with the utmost speed and force.

Photo: Juan Lopez.

Further reading: Guapinol River water protector and CMDBCPT leader Juan López killed by gunmen in Tocoa, Colón, Honduras (PBI-Canada, September 15, 2024).