The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) applauds the long awaited breakthrough in Honduras to bring the immediate political crisis to an end, and urges the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court to move swiftly to approve the negotiated agreement between Manuel Zelaya and Roberto Micheletti.
"For the Honduran people, it is very important that that this immediate crisis has come to an end," states WOLA analyst Vicki Gass, "the four months of political and social turmoil has cost lives, economic hardship, and the erosion of civil and political rights." Nevertheless, she cautioned that elections will not resolve fundamental issues that gave rise to the crisis such as political exclusion, impunity, poverty and inequality. "Elections are simply a first step," she added, "the political candidates and the people must commit to a process for seeking solutions to these issues in order for democracy to be strengthened in Honduras."
If the 7 point agreement is approved, Hondurans will form a unity government and a Truth Commission to investigate the events of June 28 and afterwards. In addition, both sides will agree to forego political amnesty and to recognize the November 29 general elections to be monitored by international observers. A Verification Commission will guarantee that all points of the agreement are implemented. Before the agreement can go into effect, it must be voted on by the National Congress once advised by the Supreme Court.
Contact:
Vicki Gass, Senior Associate on Rights and Development
Tel: 202-797-2171; Cell: 202-415-7226; vgass@wola.org
