Some cognitive dissonance from Maria Otero of State:
Today, I’d like to share with you three ways that the Obama Administration is promoting human rights around the world:
First, we are elevating human rights through increased engagement with Muslim communities worldwide;
Second, we are bolstering human rights with unprecedented support for civil society around the world, including vulnerable or marginalized groups such as women, LGBT individuals, disabled persons, and religious minorities;
And third, we are reengaging on important human rights issues in the multilateral system.
…
Women in Honduras are raising their voices in the name of freedom of speech, and protecting the place of human rights defenders in society.
…
In countries from Uganda to Honduras, men and women are subjected to horrific violence, persecution, and threats simply because of who they are or who they love.
…
In Honduras, the United States worked closely with the Justice Ministry to establish a special office devoted to investigating the unsolved murders of over 30 LGBT people.
Now, Honduras is a place where violence against journalists, small farmers, teachers, and dissidents of all kinds is at extraordinary levels. Yes, there is a lot of violence against LGBT folk and against women. But State seems to have a kind of moral macular degeneration that allows it to see a tiny cone within a broad field of vision.
Speaking of violence, Adrienne has covered several examples.
Director of Radio Uno Survives Assassination Attempt
Facussé threatens human rights activists, beheads peasants
Oscar Alvarez’s extermination campaign continues (260 young people killed in 3 months)
Honduran Teachers Get Shock Treatment (this links to a must-see Jesse Freeston report)
Even this is a bare catalog.
And the looting continues.
Brother John, as always has great photographs. I particularly recommend these.