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Trócaire condemns the tragic killing of Juan López, a dedicated defender of his community and environment, on September 14.
Juan López speaks at an event in Tocoa, Honduras, 2023. Photo: Trócaire
Trócaire joins the public condemnation of the murder of Juan López, a well-known environmental defender, Councilor of Tocoa and pastoral coordinator of the local Catholic Church. As a coordinator of the Municipal Committee for the Defence of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa, Juan was deeply committed to protecting both the environment and the wellbeing of his community. He was tragically killed on the night of September 14.
Juan López was a recognised environmental defender, tirelessly raising his voice against mining projects that threaten to destroy Tocoa’s water sources in northern Honduras. The Guapinol River, central to his work, has faced severe pollution from mining activities, affecting over 40,000 people and leading to conflicts with both the government and corporate interests.
For his activism, Juan was criminalized and had his life threatened on multiple occasions, leading to the granting of precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), which are designed to protect the lives of Human Rights Defenders..
The Honduran State has failed in its duty to protect Juan and to investigate his complaints about the threats against him, as well as the irregularities of the mining concessions approved in the Montaña de Botaderos “Carlos Escaleras Mejía” national park. We demand decisive action by the authorities to bring those responsible to justice and provide protection to the defenders of the Municipal Committee for the Defence of Common and Public Goods of Tocoa.
Honduras remains the most dangerous country in the world for environmental defenders. According to the latest report from Global Witness, 18 land and environmental defenders were murdered in the country in 2023, which is the highest number per capita globally. Sadly, Juan López will now be added to this tragic list in 2024. His loss is a devastating not only to his family and community but also to Honduras.
Trócaire stands in solidarity with Juan’s family and colleagues in their struggle, and join the voices calling for justice for Juan.
Read more about the Guapinol and San Pedro water defenders and their ongoing fight here:https://www.trocaire.org/news/the-struggle-for-water-and-life-in-guapinol-honduras/
