Criminalisation and impunity

International organisations have described criminalisation as one of the most common kinds of attack against defenders. Honduras is not the exception. Multiple strategies exist with the aim of paralysing their work or delegitimising the causes they defend. These strategies include the misuse of laws, public statements including accusations without a judicial decision, and arbitrary detentions. The lack of investigation and punishment of the perpetrators of attacks on defenders, the difficulties to access information and, in general, the climate of impunity and the lack of transparency, leave these people in a constant situation of risk and vulnerability. To counteract this situation, PBI Honduras accompanies and observes cases of prosecuted individuals and communities who defend human rights, and raises awareness about the legitimate work they do.