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Statement by Human Rights Commissioner Bärbel Kofler on the murder of Honduran LGBTI activist Bessy Ferrera
Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office, issued the following statement today (11 July) on the murder of Honduran LGBTI activist Bessy Ferrera:
I was shocked to learn about the murder of Honduran LGBTI activist Bessy Ferrera in Comayagüela on the night of 7 July. Bessy Ferrera was Deputy Head of the trans women’s group Asociación Acoíris de Honduras whose work was supported in the past by German partner organisations, with help from the Federal Foreign Office.
I call on the Honduran law enforcement agencies to investigate the crime as swiftly as possible and in full and to punish the perpetrators. The fact that Ms Ferrera was a target of attacks in the past makes this crime all the more serious. In calling for the crime to be investigated and the perpetrators punished, I am also appealing urgently to the Honduran Government to ensure better protection in general for human rights activists, particularly LGBTI and other people who need protection in Honduras.
Background information:
Violence against journalists and human rights activists is common in Honduras. This violence also affects members of minority groups, although not only them. Eleven members of the LGBTI community have already been murdered in Honduras this year.