URGENT Communique from the Jesuits of Honduras

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Communique from the Jesuits of Honduras

The Superiors of the Company of Jesus in Honduras, facing the threats and coercion to which Father Ismael Moreno, S.I. (Padre Melo) is repeatedly subjected, express the following to the national and international communities:

FIRST: We denounce the fact that in recent weeks Father Melo has been subjected to death threats by unknown people through text messages and calls to his cell phone. These threats are related to his humanitarian decision to arrange protection for the young woman Irma Melissa Villanueva in a case known to the Court of the Public Ministry and to diverse national and international human rights organizations.

SECOND: We stand by the fact that the relation of Padre Melo with Irma Melissa and her family takes place exclusively within the context of the acts that occurred on the day of August 14th in Choloma, the day on which Irma Melissa accuses several policemen of having raped her on the occasion of a resistance march in that city. The actions of Father Moreno are within the framework of a Christian duty facing situations that require humanitarian accompaniment of religious figures like him.

THIRD: We note that the threats against Father Melo do not target him alone. The Company of Jesus denounces the fact that Gerardo Chévez, reporter for Radio Progreso, is also receiving threats related to his broadcasting work with the radio

FOURTH: On Friday, April 17th, Father Valentín Menéndez S.I., Superior of the Jesuits of El Progreso, Yoro, presented a formal complaint to the Special Human Rights Court of San Pedro Sula, asking that an investigation be carried out in relation to the threats against and attempts to coerce Father Melo.

FIFTH: We demand that the national authorities carry out a diligent and effective investigation about the acts that have been denounced and we make an urgent call to national and international human rights organizations to follow up on this case.

El Progreso, Department of Yoro, April nineteenth, two thousand and ten.

Valentín Menéndez S.I.
Superior de los Jesuitas de El Progreso.

Carlos Solano S.I. Juan José Colato S.I.
Superior de los Jesuitas de Yoro Superior de los Jesuitas de Tocoa.

Fuente: quotha.net/node/893 - Traducción Adriane Pine

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