Escalating violence in Honduras against those protesting the military coup of 28 June has left two teachers dead: Roger Abraham Vallejo and Martín Florencio Rivera.
Education International condemns the increasingly violent response of the de facto government and its infringement of civil liberties, while calling again for a restoration of democratic order. Since 28 June, teacher unions in Honduras have been voicing for a return to democratic governance.
Reports from EI’s member organisations in the country, who together form the Federation of Teacher Organisations of Honduras (FOMH) and represent 52,000 teachers, outlines the details of ongoing repression by the army and the police.
Primary school teacher Roger Abraham Vallejo, a 38-year-old member of the union COPEMH, was shot in the head on 30 July during a demonstration. Another teacher, member of the COPRUMH, Martín Florencio Rivera, died after being stabbed 27 times when he left Vallejo’s wake. Saturnino Sanchez, president of another EI member organisation in the country, COLPROSUMAH, was severely beaten.
Rosario Avila, co-ordinator of the FOHM National Committee for Prevention of HIV and AIDS in Honduras, denounced the recent surge in violence:
“The repression is increasing. They have suppressed constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, and freedom of movement.”
She added that “several members of COLPROSUMAH and COPEMH have been injured, some were put in prison only to be freed hours later”.
A 12-hour night curfew is currently in force in many towns of the country, particularly in the south, severely restricting unions’ right to the freedom of organization and assembly.
Avila also highlighted the important leadership role of the teacher unions who have been on strike since June 29:
“For many decades, the teaching sector has been the backbone of the popular movement in the country. Their commitment to the defence of quality public education and human rights has been a strong voice against corruption, inequality and social exclusion.”