Photo by Guapinol Resiste.

Criterio reports: “On the morning of Tuesday, December 14, the legal team representing Guapinol’s defenders filed a writ of habeas corpus based on the illegality of the detention of the eight environmentalists who have been imprisoned for more than 27 months, following the extension to six more months of ‘preventive’ detention.”

In short, a writ of habeas corpus is a legal petition that can be used to secure a person’s release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention. It is a fundamental right that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment.

The article continues: “The lawyer of the law firm Justice for the Peoples, Edy Tabora, gave voice to the demand that the Plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) not vacation until it resolves the writ of habeas corpus, this under the imperative that indicates the Constitution of the Republic through article 182 in which it proposes ‘to proceed immediately to cease the violation of freedom’.”

“[Tabora] pointed out that the ‘Criminal Chamber with eleven words justifies an extension of six months of preventive detention against eight citizens of this country who have also been declared nationally and internationally as human rights defenders.’”

In a hopeful development, the article highlights that the Plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) has responded to the habeas corpus appeal by appointing an executing judge who is to request and receive within 24 hours a report on the status of the accused and then present conclusions to the court.

The Municipal Committee for the Defense of the Common and Public Goods Legal Defence Team further explains: “According to the Criminal Procedural Code, the constitutional action of Habeas Corpus must be resolved immediately, regardless of the upcoming vacation period of the Judiciary.”

It then highlights: “The Plenary must meet immediately and issue a resolution to release Guapinol’s defenders so that they can finally spend this Christmas with their families after more than 27 months of arbitrary detention.”

We continue to follow this closely from the USA.

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    Honduras