The military dictatorship in Honduras, which overthrew elected President Manuel Zelaya on June 28, is preparing a bloody crackdown on the mass resistance of the Honduran poor demanding Zelaya's return. Zelaya, who secretly re-entered Honduras on September 21, is inside the Brazilian embassy. The dictatorship has suspended constitutional liberties, expelled representatives of the Organisation of American States, a key anti-coup TV and radio station have been shutdown, and given Brazil 10 days to remove Zelaya for its embassy in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.
The article first below is translated by Federico Fuentes from the Venezuelan left-wing website Aporrea.org on reports emerging from Honduras of a bloodbath being prepared by the regime. Fuentes, who is part of the Green Left Weekly Caracas bureau, said: "Here in Venezuela a solidarity actions has been called for tomorrow morning. Now is
the time to raise our voices as one in defence of the Honduran people."
The second article is a message from Democracy Now! journalist Andres Conteris, who is inside the Brazilian embassy with Zelaya, on the dangerous escalation of repression and the need for solidarity action.
Please send urgent messages to Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith to demand Australia join the chorus of international condemnation of the coup regime and full diplomatic and economic isolation of it. In particular, Australia must pressure the US to cut off all its aid to the Honduran regime, freeze the bank accounts of the coup regime members and fully isolate the regime until Zelaya is reinstated. For details on how to contact Smith's office, and for a sample letter released by the Socialist Alliance, visit Socialist Alliance.
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Aprorrea.org, September 27 — Today, the team at Aporrea.org was in communication with representatives of the resistance against the coup in Honduras and with special envoys from Venezuelan alternative media outlets.
These sources informed us of a worsening of the situation in Honduras, several days after the arrival of the constitutional President Manuel Zelaya at the Brazilian embassy, and an upsurge of repressive actions
and violations of human rights on the part of the dictatorial regime.
To these repressive acts can be added the death of a resistance activist , as a result of inhaling the toxic gasses launched by the military into the Brazilian embassy, and the deportation of the Organisation of American States (OAS team — with the sole exception of a single member of US origins.
The "Goriletti" regime has sent an open challenge to all international institutions. Behind this emboldened and quarrelsome posture is the covert support of the US — a key element in the attitude taken by the usurper government.
According to the information obtained, a state of siege has been declared and all constitutional guarantees suspended. This follows the 10-day ultimatum given by the coup government for Brazil to define the status of Zelaya, with the threat of carrying out possible military actions, such as a raid of the Brazilian embassy.
Among the scenarios being talked about is the possibility of genocidal actions, house raids and selective or mass arrests in the next few hours and days. The resistance has adopted preventive measures in the face of this repression, especially for tonight and in light of the call for a mobilisation in Honduras tomorrow, that will be accompanied by solidarity protests in many other cities of the world.
The people in resistance have decided to remain on the streets, holding peaceful protests. They are also awaiting the response that the people and government of Brazil could give in defence of the dignity and integrity of their embassy.
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, September 27 — The coup regime is about to impose a complete state of siege in Honduras for 45 days. I have been with President Zelaya and 80 others in the Brazilian embassy for the past week. It is likely we will lose all contact with the outside world.
The repression by the de facto regime has escalated beyond description. The brutal tear gas attack that completely filled the embassy last Tuesday (September 22) caused death and suffering. But that is small compared to the horrific assault upon the Honduran people around the country seeking to put in practice the III article of the Honduran Constitution: "No one should obey a usurper government nor obey those who take on functions or public positions through armed force.
"The people have the right to resort to insurrection in defense of constitutional order."
I feel deeply honored to be part of an inner circle of supporters of President Zelaya and his efforts to restore constitutional government.
The international community has made good declarations in support of restoring democracy to Honduras, but the coup regime pays no attention and continues with its tyranny.
Please urge President Obama to impose a total trade embargo against the coup regime.
Please join our Worldwide Fast for Honduras: People's Nonviolent Insurrection, www.fastforhonduras.net.