Closing of ‘Feminists in Resistance’ Radio

We have been informed that another example of violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression continues in Honduras with the closure of further radio stations.  


Source (in Spanish): http://www.tortillaconsal.com/tortilla/es/node/4089
Translated into English by: CAWN (Central America Women’s Network)

Date: 16 October 2009

COVERED UNDER THE DE FACTO GOVERNMENT’S DECREE (124-2009), THE RADIO STATION OF EX-HONDURAN PRESIDENT, RICARDO MADURO, CANCELS RADIO CONTRACTS TO FEMINISTS IN RESISTANCE ORGANISATIONS

Today by way of written communication the administration of Radio Cadena Voces, owned by Ricardo Maduro Joest, ex-President of Honduras, informed the feminist organisations Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (CDM) and the Centro de Estudios de la Mujer -Honduras (CEM-H), that their radio programmes “Tiempo de Hablar” and “La Bullaranga” would be closed.

These programs, originally were conceived to develop specialised coverage of the issues with which Honduran women live, were usually transmitted weekly one hour broadcasts, but during since the Coup d’Etat on 28th June, 2009, they felt obligated to open this space in order to discuss and broadcast the most relevant events and testimonials of the serious situation occurring in the country.  This was uncomfortable to the owners of Grupo INVOSA (Declared defenders of the Coup Government), who today in an open violation of the Honduran peoples rights to the freedom of expression and information, proceeded to close these programmes.

These rights had already been restricted some weeks back with the closing of two media outlets which had maintained an editorial policy open to the opposition to the Coup d’Etat: Radio Globo and TV Canal 36 ‘Cholusat’, both of which still remain off the air.

INVOSA justifies the closing of “Tiempo de Hablar” and “La bullaranga" by referring to the executive decree 124-2009, emitted by the Coup government which authorises the suspension of any radio station, television channel or cable system that gives space to criticisms of the de facto government of Roberto Michelletti.

Both organisations, Centro de Derechos de Mujeres (CDM) and Centro de Estudios de La Mujer – Honduras (CEM-H), have formed part of the Front of Resistance against the Coup d’Etat and the Feminists in Resistance movements.  Through their radio programmes, they have denounced the many human rights violations, in particular those against women, which have been occurring through the country since the day that the constitutional order was broken.

We are asking both national and international organisations which promote and protect human rights, and especially the Liberty of Expression and the Right to Information, to stay vigilant of what is occurring in our country.

Sandra Marybel Sánchez
Independent Journalist