Laura Carlsen: Coup Declares State of Siege, Suspends Constitutional Rights

Laura Carlsen, Americas MexicoBlog, 28 September 2009

On Sept. 26 the coup regime took abuse of illegitimate power one giant step forward by issuing an Executive Decree to suspend guaranteed rights under Articles 69, 72, 78, 81 and 84 of the Honduran Constitution, with the pretext of “serious disruption of the peace”. The decree justifies the suspension of rights citing vandalism and “the quantity of illegal protesters”.

Although not announced as such, the decree declares a virtual state of siege in the country through the suspension of civil liberties. The decree is scheduled to be in effect for 45 days from the date of issue.

Freedom of movement for all Hondurans has now been prohibited formally, “according to the parameters established by press releases from the (coup) Presidency that will contain the territory and duration of the curfew”. All unauthorized public meetings are also prohibited.

[Read the report]