This statement asks the AAA to support progressive forces in Honduras that
have been resisting violations of civil and human rights under the de
facto regime that took power in a coup d'etat on June 28.

There are two main reasons for the AAA to act: first, repression in
Honduras has specifically and disproportionately affected groups
traditionally studied by anthropologists, to whom we as a profession have
responsibilities; second, the coup created an atmosphere hostile to
research, including anthropological research.

There can be no debate about the events of June 28 constituting a coup
d'etat; no world government has concluded otherwise. The failure by the US
to designate this as a military coup d'etat maintains the flow of military
aid to Honduras at the same time that the armed forces continue to
participate in suppression of political dissidence.

Violations of human rights since June 28 are amply documented, among
others by Amnesty International and the Interamerican Commission on Human
Rights.

Violations of civil rights under the coup regime that should be of
particular interest to academics include suspension of rights of
circulation and assembly, and harassment, technical disruptions of
broadcasts, and decrees against independent media.

Dozens of candidates withdrew from participation in the Honduran mayoral,
congressional, and presidential races to protest the lack of an
environment conducive to free and fair participation.

Indigenous, African-descendant, women's groups, and unions have issued
calls for international solidarity with their resistance to the coup
regime. Garifuna clinics have been disrupted, and at least one Lenca
indigenous activist was killed.

This resolution was drafted with the support of many Honduran
anthropologists, represented here by two co-signatories. Many others are
signing a letter of support for this resolution. Interference in the
governance of the Instituto de Antropología e Historia by the coup
regime's illegally appointed "Minister of Culture" is well documented.
This resolution does not seek to sanction or judge anthropologists in
Honduras who continue to work under the de facto regime, but acknowledges
that disruption of the rule of law does impede the ability of many US and
Honduran anthropologists to propose or carry out research. We support
plans by Honduran anthropologists to initiate a university major in
anthropology, but believe that the conditions created by the coup are
prejudicial to those efforts.

This resolution primarily calls for action by the United States
government, including public acknowledgment and condemnation of human
rights violations; support for progressive forces in Honduras; and
collaboration with the majority of countries in the Americas, whose
policies on Honduras differ markedly from those so far articulated by the
US State Department, in seeking ways to deal with the political crisis
caused by the coup, for which the recent elections are not a solution.

This resolution expresses direct support by the AAA for Hondurans in
resistance; and communicates the condemnation of the role of the military
in the coup and since by the AAA membership.

For more background, please see http://quotha.net/node/624.

Rosemary A. Joyce
Richard and Rhoda Goldman Distinguished Professor in the Social Sciences
University of California, Berkeley

Adrienne Pine
Department of Anthropology
American University, Washington, DC

Camila Pastor
PhD, Anthropology, UCLA, 2009

Geraldina Tercero
MA, Anthropology, Arizona State University, 1996