November 25, 2013, New York – In response to reports from Honduran civil society, opposition parties, and international election observers of irregularities and intimidation by state and other unidentified forces of voters and observers in yesterday’s presidential election in Honduras, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) issued the following statement: 

Yesterday’s election in Honduras and subsequent statements by the U.S. Ambassador characterizing the election as “transparent” and accompanied by only few acts of violence are reminiscent of the 2009 election, where the U.S. rushed to validate and help push forward a process as it was being contested by Honduran civil society. There must be an opportunity to do a full and accurate count and fully investigate reports of irregularities and intimidation and threats by authorities.

 

Given the context of widespread opposition to the post-coup government and its violent repression of civil society, CCR urges the international community to do everything possible to ensure respect for and protection of Hondurans’ right to free expression, freedom of the press, and peaceful assembly in the coming days.