Garifuna communities demand land rights protections in Honduras

The Garifuna community in Honduras is escalating its struggle for ancestral land rights, with leaders accusing the state of a ‘plan of dispossession and cultural genocide.’ Miriam Miranda, coordinator of the Organización Fraternal Negra Hondureña (Ofraneh), announced intentions to seek international legal recourse to force the government to comply with rulings from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR).

Protests have intensified in Tegucigalpa, where activists have established a camp near the Supreme Court. The community alleges that the government is prioritizing private business interests over the rights of Afro-descendant populations. This follows several IACHR rulings against Honduras regarding territorial violations in areas such as San Juan, Triunfo de la Cruz, and Punta Piedra.

In response to regional concerns, the Honduran government, via Ambassador Scarleth Ayon Neda, stated it is taking steps to protect Garifuna territories and that its judiciary is discussing international judgments with human rights officials. The government noted that new legislation has been approved to strengthen protections against dispossession, though community leaders remain skeptical of these measures.