The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Dear Child Defenders, Once again we feel the need to inform you of the pattern of abuse that continues to develop in Honduras. As the economic climate grows even more difficult, the levels of repression against the poorest of the poor grow even more drastic. The Honduran police - still under the control of the military - see the rule of the gun as more important than the law of the land. This is something that, through aggressive but pacific opposition, we must change. I trust that, for the sake of the child victims, we can continue to have your support in this important goal. Bruce Harris Executive Director Casa Alianza/Covenant House Latin America -------------------- FEBRUARY 17TH, 1997 HONDURAN POLICE ILLEGALLY DETAIN AND BEAT STREET CHILDREN On February 6th, 1997 at approximately 3:10pm, three street children in Casa Alianza's program, Omar Polanco (13), Edgar Eduardo Mejia (14) and Rafael Martinez (16), were accompanying Ivan Carillo, Casa Alianza's Coordinator of the drug rehabilitation program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They were in front of the Radio Shack shop when two uniformed FUSEP (Fuerzas de Seguridad Publica - the police force that depends on the military) approached the Casa Aliazna worker and the children and stopped them and ordered them to show their identification. Neither the street children nor the Casa Alianza staff member were committing a crime, and, when requested by Mr. Carillo, the FUSEP agents did not have any arrest warrants for himself or the minors. These are, under Honduran law, the only reasons for which a person can be detained. The agent in charge, Sgt. Molina detained the minors and took them to the 7th precinct. The minors did not have any identification papers (because they live on the street) and the Casa Alianza staff member explained that they were in the Casa Alianza program under our care. The FUSEP agents took no notice. The three boys were taken to the 7th precinct (followed by Ivan Carillo) where, once taken inside, Omar Polanco (13) and Edgar Mejia (14) were beaten by uniformed members of the FUSEP. Mr. Carillo called Casa Alianza's Legal Aid Office and Lic. Rolando Quinonez arrived at the police station at approximately 3:30pm and explained the illegality of the detention to the police officers. The three scared boys were released. Omar and Edgar were taken to Casa Alianza's Crisis center to see if the beating had caused them any physical damage. A formal complaint has been lodged with both the ORP (Oficina de Responsibilidad Profesional) of the FUSEP and the Human Rights Commissioner's Office. This is the second time that Casa Alianza children have been illegally detained by the police in the past week. Please send your requests (in Spanish if possible) for an adequate investigation into this case and the prosecution of the policemen responsible to the Honduran Government at and to Dr. Leo Valladares, the Honduran Human Rights Commissioner at with a copy to El Nuevo Dia (National Paper) and ---------------------------------------- Casa Alianza Latin America SJO 1039 PO Box 025216 Miami FL, 33102-5216 USA In Costa Rica: Phone :+506 / 253-5439 Fax :+506 / 224-5689 http://www.casa-alianza.org ===================================================== Human Rights in Honduras www.derechos.org/nizkor/honduras/