,

Jesuit Human Rights Organization Staff Member Murdered in Honduras

Carlos Mejia Orellana

Carlos Mejia Orellana

BY ISN STAFFApril 15, 2014

Carlos Mejía Orellana, a journalist and marketing manager for Radio Progresso was found murdered in his home in the northern city of El Progreso on the night of Friday, April 11, 2014. He was stabbed several times in the chest.

Mejía had worked for nearly 15 years for El Progreso-based Radio Progreso, a Jesuit-run human rights radio station affiliated with Equipo de Reflexión, Investigación y Comunicación (ERIC), a social analysis and action center. Radio Progeso was one of the many Honduran media that criticized the 2009 coup d’état.

Jesuit Father Ismael Moreno, S.J. (Director of Radio Progesso and ERIC) stated publicly at a press conference on Saturday, April 12 that 16 ERIC/Radio Progeso employees, including Mejia, have received significant death threats since the 2009 Honduran coup.  Fr. Moreno has also previously testified before the U.S. Congress at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission regarding the human rights situation in Honduras and the fear he and his staff and others in the journalism sector experience.  Moreno will speak at the Ignatian Solidarity Network’s 2014 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington DC regarding the human rights situation in Honduras.

On Tuesday, April 15, U.S. Representatives McGovern (MA), Farr (CA) and Schakowsky (IL) released a statement expressing sympathy for Mejia’s family and calling on Honduran officials to enact a full investigation of the murder.

We will continue to provide updates.

Our prayers and condolences to Carlos’ family, the Radio Progeso/ERIC staff and for peace in Honduras.

MEDIA COVERAGE:
Honduras – Radio Progreso employee murdered after getting threats
Organizaciones condenan asesinato de empleado de Radio Progreso
UNESCO Chief Condemns Murder Of Honduran Radio Manager

STATEMENTS REGARDING CARLOS’ MURDER:
4/15/14 – U.S. Representatives McGovern (MA), Farr (CA) and Schakowsky (IL)
4/15/14 – Organization of American States Office of the Special Rapporteur Condemns Murder 
4/16/14 – Senator Tim Kaine (VA)

OTHER JESUIT/IGNATIAN RESOURCES ON HONDURAS:
America Magazine coverage of U.S. Jesuit Social & International Ministry delegation to Honduras (Fall 2013)

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