Land rights concerns emerge over new laws in Honduras and Argentina

In Honduras, the National Confederation of Federations and Patronages (CONAFEPH) has raised alarms regarding the recently approved Agroindustrial Law. Legal expert Marco Antonio Bhaday warned that the legislation could jeopardize the territorial rights of Garifuna and indigenous communities. Concerns specifically focus on Article 77, which governs land regularization for public necessity, with critics suggesting the law may violate previous rulings from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. CONAFEPH has sought dialogue with President Nasry Asfura and Congress leadership before pursuing a constitutional challenge.

In Argentina, the Senate has granted partial approval to a law concerning the inviolability of private property. While provisions regarding foreign land ownership were removed following opposition, the legislation includes changes to expropriation and eviction regimes. The new framework aims to expedite eviction processes through summary proceedings, which critics argue will create “express evictions” that lack legal security for indigenous communities by shortening deadlines and restricting the ability to appeal.