The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has posted on social media:
“’At ARCOÍRIS, we are concerned about the current campaign that seeks to dismantle human rights and undermine the rule of law—a situation that leaves our LGBTQ+ community at an even greater disadvantage and in a more vulnerable position.’
As they conveyed to PBI during a visit to their offices, ARCOÍRIS supports the denunciation made by @arcahhonduras ]the Alternative for Community and Environmental Reclamation of Honduras] regarding a series of anti-rights statements by certain members of parliament.”
Agro-Industrial Law
This in part refers to the Law for the Strengthening and Protection of the Agro-industrial Sector, Energy Projects, Tourism, Livestock, and Small-Scale Agro-industrial Producers that was passed in June 2026.
Amnesty International has explained: “Among other measures, the law prohibits demonstrations and strikes across a wide range of territories. It also allows authorities to carry out evictions without judicial oversight or a fair trial. These provisions put the rights to food, housing, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression at risk. The law also increases the risk of criminalization for peasants, Indigenous Peoples and Afrodescendants.”
LGBTQ+ rights
Earlier this year, Outright International noted: “LGBTIQ people in Honduras continue to face severe legal and social challenges. While same-sex sexual activity is legal, the country does not recognize same-sex marriage or civil unions, nor does it provide a legal framework for gender identity recognition, despite a 2021 ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordering such measures. Violence against LGBTIQ individuals remains a critical issue, with high rates of violent deaths in the country.”
Anti-rights statements
This week, Criterio.hn reported: “Grassroots organizations filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office against three Honduran congressmen for allegedly being responsible for incitement to hatred and violation of the duties of officials, after they expressed themselves in favor of denouncing international treaties that “hinder” the reduction of the punishable age in Honduras. Among those denounced are the deputies of the Liberal Party of Honduras (PLH) to the National Congress: Francis Cabrera de Copán, Saraí Espinal and Rashid Mejía, both for Francisco Morazán, who question human rights guarantees in the name of security.”
Accompaniment
PBI-Honduras has previously noted: “The Arcoíris Association was founded in 2003 with the aim of empowering the LGTBI community in Honduras, offering comprehensive information about health issues for people identifying as LGTBI, and defending and promoting the human rights of sexual diversity.”
Peace Brigades International-Canada coordinator Brent Patterson met with Donny Reyes, the director of Arcoiris (the LGTB Association of Honduras), and Jlo Córdoba of the Trans Women’s collective Rainbow Dolls (Mujeres Trans Muñecas de Arcoíris) at their office in Tegucigalpa on November 1, 2024.
Peace Brigades International began accompanying Arcoíris in July 2015.
