The Subcommittee is deeply concerned about the evidence that it received regarding the lack of citizen security in Honduras. Moreover, the Subcommittee wishes to highlight the vital contributions to the universal implementation of human rights made by Honduran human rights defenders, journalists, justice sector workers and other peaceful activists who encourage vibrant public debate and increase transparency and accountability. In order to ensure protection for human rights defenders and to improve citizen security, Honduras must build strong and resilient institutions that can ensure the rule of law and democratic civilian governance. Canada’s engagement in Honduras provides an opportunity to make a substantial contribution to each of these goals.

Based on the evidence it heard, the Subcommittee puts forward the following recommendations to the Government of Canada:

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada take advantage of appropriate opportunities to stress to the Government of Honduras the need for independent, impartial investigations into killings, threats and other attacks on human rights defenders, journalists, justice sector workers and other peaceful activists in Honduras.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada provide both public and private diplomatic support, as appropriate, to individual human rights defenders under threat in Honduras.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada raise with the Government of Honduras the murders of lawyer Antonio Trejo and his brother, José Trejo.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada raise with the Government of Honduras the issue of the continuing threats and attacks against members of the Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH).

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Government of Honduras’ implementation of precautionary measures ordered by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in respect of human rights defenders, journalists, justice sector workers and other peaceful activists — including, in particular, members of the Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH).

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada encourage the Government of Honduras to increase its engagement with Honduran human rights defenders, civil society organizations, journalists and media workers, in particular when it is planning legislation or initiatives that may have an impact on human rights.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada call upon the Government of Honduras to accelerate efforts to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in particular by ensuring that those responsible for the human rights violations documented by the Commission are brought to justice.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada urge the Government of Honduras to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendation to remove political and policing functions from the mandate of the Honduran Armed Forces and to ensure that the Armed Forces remain under effective civil control.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada reiterate to the Government of Honduras the importance Canada places on ensuring the independence and impartiality of the Honduran judiciary.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada continue to raise human rights issues in the G-16 group of 16 donor countries and to encourage this group to push for greater respect for human rights by the Government of Honduras.

Recommendation 11

That, through its international assistance to Honduras, the Government of Canada continue to support programming which aims to improve respect for civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights, as well as strengthening the justice sector in the country.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada continue to reiterate its expectation that Canadian companies operating in Honduras will promote Canadian values, operate with the highest ethical standards, respect for human rights and all applicable laws, and meet or exceed widely-recognized international standards for responsible business conduct such as the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.