"The legal and judicial system in Honduras has failed to ensure justice and accountability for the most serious crimes and threats to the safety of human rights defenders, journalists and social communicators, a UN expert said [Oct. 31].
[…]
'Almost every journalist I spoke to – whether in mainstream media, online media, or community radio, male, female or gender diverse – claimed that intimidation has reached such a high level and the measures offered by the Protection Mechanism [for Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Communicators and Justice Operators] are so inadequate that they feel compelled to self-censor in order to protect themselves and their families,” said [UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene] Khan.
The expert called for a major overhaul of the Protection Mechanism, which was created in 2015. [...] The expert urged the Government to ensure that adequate legal and operational conditions are created for the operation of community radios. She urged authorities to accede to the Escazu Agreement to strengthen access to information, promote public participation and protect environmental human rights defenders."
