A/HRC/13/66
data about alleged human rights violations. On many occasions, the authorities used NGO
information to prepare their own reports and follow-up.
7.
The mission also took into account reports and recommendations of international
human rights bodies and procedures, both from the United Nations and the Organization of
American States (OAS), and relevant documents from international and national NGOs.
However, due to space constraints, this report only includes the most representative cases.
III. Background
8.
Manuel Zelaya was elected President of Honduras on 28 November 2005 and took
office on 27 January 2006 in accordance with the Constitution. On 28 June 2009, Honduran
troops captured him and forced him out of the country, reportedly over his plans to hold a
public consultation on whether to hold a referendum, simultaneously with the November
2009 election, with a view to making constitutional changes, inter alia, to allow for his reelection for an additional term. The Speaker of Congress, Roberto Micheletti, was
subsequently sworn in as interim leader. Violence against supporters of President Zelaya
occurred from the first day of the coup, including through the repression of demonstrations
in his support and the forceful occupation by military agents of some media outlets.
9.
The de facto Government declared a state of emergency under which it imposed
curfews and other measures, and decided to pursue the general elections scheduled for 29
November 2009. At the same time, opponents of the coup organized the National
Resistance Front against the Coup (FNRG).
10.
The coup was in general strongly condemned by the international community.
Several major international counterparts decided to interrupt their cooperation programmes
with the de facto authorities, as well as with other institutions seen as supporting the coup.
Several States and international organizations also suspended trade and aid, as well as their
support to the electoral process.
11.
President Zelaya returned to Honduras on 21 September, and received diplomatic
protection as a “guest” of the embassy of Brazil in Tegucigalpa. The embassy was then
surrounded by the police and armed forces. Those inside the embassy complained of
harassment from loud noises and the release of harmful chemicals, which they attributed to
police and army officers surrounding the building. On 29 October, negotiations initiated in
early July by the OAS with the mediation of the President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias,
resulted in the “San Jose – Tegucigalpa Agreement”, which provided for a unity
government, requesting Congress and the Supreme Court to decide on whether to reinstate
President Zelaya and requiring both sides (Zelaya and Micheletti) to recognize the result of
the presidential election. The agreement broke down in early November and elections were
consequently carried out without OAS and United Nations observers. The National Party
candidate, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, won the poll and took office on 27 January 2010. The
international community remained divided over the recognition of the election results. On 2
December, Congress decided against the restitution of President Zelaya.
IV.
State of emergency
12.
Honduras has ratified the main inter-American and United Nations human rights
treaties. According to articles 15 and 18 of its Constitution, international treaties are part of
the legal framework of the country and take precedence over national legislation. However,
GE.10-11700
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