Thursday, July 02, 2009

Honduran Congress Suspends Civil Rights

Inside Costa Rica

The Honduran Legislature approved earlier this afternoon a decree that suspends five of the rights of citizens in Honduras: the inviolable right of home, the freedom of association, a person can be held more than 24 hours without a charge and freedom of movement in the country.

The decree was presented to the Legislative Assembly by Roberto Micheletti, who was given the power of the presidency following the military coup d'etat last Sunday.

The decree approved by the Legislators virtually places the country under siege.

The measures are designed to prevent any demonstration on the streets of Honduras in the event deposed president Manuel Zelaya returns.

Zelaya, who is currently in Panama to take part in the investiture of Ricardo Martinelli as the new president of Panama, said he would respect the 72 hours deadline placed by the Organization of American States (OAS) on the Honduras to reinstate its president, before returning to his country possibly on Saturday.

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