The failure of negotiations in Honduras and ousted President Manuel Zelaya’s potential attempt to return today or tomorrow via the Honduras-Nicaragua border have added to the already explosive situation. Two people have been reported injured on the border region, media outlets shut down and shots heard in the capital city. “Both parties should do everything in their power to prevent further violence and respect human rights,” says Joy Olson, Executive Director of WOLA.
The unwillingness of the de facto government of Roberto Micheletti and President Zelaya to agree to the Arias proposal and bring the conflict to a successful closure leaves the United States no option but to impose tougher sanctions. WOLA calls on the Obama Administration to suspend all Millennium Challenge Account funds, cancel the visas for members of the de facto government and their families, and freeze all their assets held in the US.
"This is a very tense moment, we fear for loss of human life," said Olson. "We urge both parties to exercise restraint and to reach a negotiated agreement that will allow the peaceful return of Zelaya."
WOLA is closely monitoring the situation in Honduras. WOLA's experts will be available to the media during the weekend.
For more information call WOLA at (202) 797-2171.
For background information on the San Jose Agreement brokered by President Arias click here.
