Human Rights Organizers with Grand Rapids Ties Face Intimidation in Honduras
Last week, human rights organizers with ties to Grand Rapids by way of a former Calvin College student were subjected to two incidents of intimidation designed to limit their work. A labor lawyer working with the organization Association for a more Just Society (AJS) was murdered for defending the rights of poor security workers while the organization's board president, Carlos Hernandez, received an anonymous text message on his phone warning him that he would be next. On December 4, Dionisio Diaz Garcia was murdered while en route to court to assist ten security guards whose rights were being violated by the Honduran security firms Delta and SETECH. Delta and SETECH have been the target of a two-year campaign by AJS because of the companies ongoing violations of workers' rights including failing to pay the minimum wage and failing to pay for overtime. In light of the murder and death threats, AJS is calling on people to send an email to the Honduran government asking for the punishment of Dionisio's killers, the protection of AJS staff, and the institution of a variety of policies for which AJS has been organizing in support of including barring security companies that violate human rights from bidding on government contracts and the establishment of a process for certifying security companies. The letter also demands that there be a full investigation of Delta and SETECH security and their tax history, violations of labor rights, and connections with organized crime during which time their license to operate be suspended.
For more information on AJS and their work, visit their website or their online journal.