A/HRC/35/23/Add.1 strengthening the rule of law, impunity thrives when they are persecuted as a result of their profession. E. Indigenous and land rights defenders: situation in Bajo Aguán 52. Indigenous leaders, land right defenders and peasants are also affected disproportionally by attacks, murder, intimidation and threats, particularly those who defend their territories and natural resources in the context of development projects. Serious human rights violations have been attributed to private security guards hired by landholding companies, the police and the military. 53. Reportedly, a total of 111 environmental activists, particularly in indigenous communities, were murdered between 2002 and 2014, making Honduras the most dangerous country in the world for land and environmental defenders in that period. 32 54. The Tolupán indigenous community is among the most affected by violence, with about 100 murders over the past decade, most of which remain unpunished.33 Members of the independent indigenous Lenca movement for peace, which opposes the construction of hydroelectric projects on the territory of the Lenca people, have endured a series of assaults, threats and killings since 2013. 34 The Honduras civil council of popular and indigenous organizations, an indigenous Lenca organization supporting environmental and indigenous rights, has experienced persisting violence. Attacks intensified since the murder of their co-founder, Berta Caceres, after which the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted them precautionary measures. The national authorities have failed to implement the measures. Another member of the council was killed in March 2016 35 and two suffered attempted murders in May 2016.36 55. Violence and threats against indigenous communities take place in the context of land incursions by drug traffickers, for example, in the Garífuna and Tolupan communities.37 Law enforcement officials also exert violence in this context. In May 2012, four members of the Miskito community of Ahuas died and others were wounded in an anti-drug operation conducted by officials from Honduras and the United States of America. In December 2015, two young Garífuna men were killed by military personnel who had suspected them of being drug traffickers. 38 56. The Government has established the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Ethnic Groups and Cultural Heritage. However, complaints filed by community members are not effectively investigated or prosecuted.39 Bajo Aguán 57. The Special Rapporteur received many reports about the numerous attacks against peasants and land right defenders in Bajo Aguán by private security agents and security forces. In May 2014, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures to 123 defenders in the region, but their lives remained at risk. 40 The National Human Rights Commission reported that 92 people had been killed between 2009 and 2012, most of whom had been active members of peasant organizations. 41 In 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 See “¿Cuántos más?”, p. 16. See A/HRC/33/42/Add. 2, para. 22. See A/HRC/32/53, case HDN 1/2016; and Situation of Human Rights in Honduras, pp. 39-40 and 42. See A/HRC/33/32, case HDN 3/2016. See www.fidh.org/es/temas/defensores-de-derechos-humanos/honduras-situacion-de-los-defensoresde-derechos-humanos. See Situation of Human Rights in Honduras, pp. 44-45. A/HRC/33/42/Add. 2, para. 26 See Situation of Human Rights in Honduras, p. 46. See https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId =22828 (available in Spanish only). See www.hrw.org/report/2014/02/12/there-are-no-investigations-here/impunity-killings-and-otherabuses-bajo-aguan. 11