Honduras' agro‑industrial law and Venezuela's hate law face rights criticism

In Honduras, the newly approved Law for the Strengthening and Protection of the Agro‑industrial Sector contains provisions that civil society groups say could criminalise peaceful protest and restrict freedom of expression and the press. Articles 5 and 6 order authorities to clear roads, ports and other strategic locations immediately during strikes or blockades and deem any disruption to agro‑industrial activity as a threat to the general economic interest, effectively narrowing the space for legitimate civic action.

In Venezuela, Pedro Vaca, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression for the Inter‑American Commission on Human Rights, warned that recent releases of political detainees should not be interpreted as an improvement in media freedom. He highlighted the 2017 Hate Law, which he says has been distorted to protect the government rather than vulnerable groups, and cautioned that such measures distract from the ongoing lack of fundamental liberties.

Both observers call for the repeal or amendment of these laws to safeguard democratic rights.