New report: lenders should exit from Agua Zarca project
Last week, the conclusions of an independent fact-finding mission to the Agua Zarca Hydro-electric Project in Honduras, were released. The report was commissioned by one of the project financiers, the Dutch development bank FMO after human rights defender and fierce opponent of the dam Berta Cáceres was murdered in March 2016.
Provoking violence
The report shows that the lenders - including the FMO– did not ensure that the Agua Zarca Hydroelectric Project in Honduras complied with international standards. The report also states that the project provoked and deepened violence amongst communities which would be affected by the project.
FMO will exit from the project
The report follows one which was published last month by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, who condemned the Agua Zarca Project. In response to the conclusions of the fact-finding mission it commissioned, the FMO committed to exit the project in a responsible way after they consult with all stakeholders.
Other lenders
SOMO and Both ENDS published a statement in which we welcome FMO’s exit from the project, but also share some concerns. One of our fears is, for example, that FMO’s withdrawal will clear the way for others, and therefore we urge FMO not to pass along this flawed project to another lender.
- Independent Mission (IM) report
- FMO’s response to the IM report
- COPINH's response to the IM report
Photo: COPINH
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This is a joint call to action by international civil society organizations to call upon the Honduran authorities to ensure there is justice for the victims of the murder on Berta Caceres. Eight years and four months have passed since the crime against Berta and the Honduran justice system has not confirmed the sentences of those convicted and has not prosecuted the intellectual authors. We are extremely concerned that independent administration of justice and international agreements on human rights are not being upheld.
