Rally honours Berta Cáceres, activist shot to death in Honduran home

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Dozens rallied outside the Honduran embassy on Slater Street on Tuesday to demand an investigation from the Honduran government into the death of activist Berta Cáceres.

Cáceres, an indigenous woman and Honduran environmental activist, was shot and killed at her home in the town of La Esperanza, Honduras on Thursday.

Cáceres was a globally-known activist and co-founder of the Civic Council of Popular Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) that has been fighting for indigenous rights for more than 20 years revolving around land, dams and mining conflicts.

The rally, which included several guest speakers, was put on by the Nobel Women’s Initiative and the Americas Policy Group. Many in the crowd of more than 50 people demanded the Honduran government investigate Cáceres’ death, chanting “Justicia, justicia” in appeals for justice.

Cáceres worked with many civil society individuals in Ottawa including Rachel Vincent, communications director for the Nobel Women’s Initiative.

“What we’re doing is trying to call attention to the positive role Canada can play in pushing the Honduran government to carry out an impartial and thorough investigation into her death,” said Vincent. “And also to guarantee protection for the other activists on the ground who are now at even greater risks since her death.”

After the rally, Vincent along with other representatives delivered documents and a letter to the Honduran ambassador asking for an investigation and protection for other activists.

Cáceres was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize last year that recognizes grassroots environmental activists from around the world. Before she was killed, COPINH had been campaigning against Agua Zarca, a dam that would force the indigenous Lenca community off their ancestral land.

Cáceres knew of the dangers she faced, but it never stopped her.

“Nothing stopped her, silence simply was not an option,” said Alex Neve, secretary general at Amnesty International. “Her leadership and her courage knew no bounds.”



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