Press Releases:

June 30, 2009

Honduras: Prompt Return to Democracy

BOGOTÁ/NEW YORK, June 30, 2009 - The elected president of Honduras should be returned to office, and democratic processes and the rule of law should immediately be restored, the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) said today.

"The coup in Honduras is an alarming step backward for Latin America," said Alex Boraine, acting President of ICTJ. "The coup is unacceptable under international and inter-American law. It's a step back from the rule of law and developing democratic institutions."

All states in the region should comply with the Inter-American Democratic Charter approved in 2001, which calls for imposing immediate sanctions on countries that seriously violate the political rights of its citizens, ICTJ said.

"Problems and conflicts in democratic societies cannot be solved by intervention by the armed forces," Boraine said.

About ICTJ

The International Center for Transitional Justice assists countries pursuing accountability for past mass atrocity or human rights abuse. The Center works in societies emerging from repressive rule or armed conflict, as well as in established democracies where historical injustices or systemic abuse remain unresolved. For more information, visit www.ictj.org

Contacts

Robert Ruby (New York)
Director of Communications
+1.646.919.6599
rruby@ictj.org

Maria Cristina Rivera (Bogotá)
Communications Associate/Americas
+57.1.345.00.46 (ext. 105)
mrivera@ictj.org