Honduras: ICRC visits over 40 people deprived of their freedom
01-10-2009 News Release 09/199
Tegucigalpa/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has visited over 40 people who were detained following their removal from the National Agrarian Institute building yesterday by Honduran security forces. The premises had been occupied since 28 June.
" We saw the detainees yesterday. We offered to help them contact their families, and some used an ICRC mobile phone to do so, " said Dénes Benczedi, the ICRC delegate who carried out these visits.
Following the visits, the ICRC informed the authorities on a confidential basis of its observations concerning the detention conditions. Detainees were also provided with toiletries and with materials to keep their surroundings clean.
The ICRC has been visiting people held in connection with the recent events in Honduras since 24 September. The organization’s detention activities are aimed at protecting the dignity and physical well-being of people deprived of their freedom.
For further information, please contact:
Christoph Kleber, ICRC Mexico, tel: +52 1 55 54 56 63 91
Marçal Izard, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 24 58 or +41 79 217 32 24
or visit our website: www.icrc.org