Walter Tróchez
Walter Trochez (1982-2009) was a Honduran political activist and LGBT rights leader.[1]
On December 13 2009, he was shot as he walked in downtown Tegucigalpa. Friends rushed him to a hospital, where he died. National Resistance Front said "Trochez was an active militant in the resistance and an example of the fight against the dictatorship." A Honduran rights group said Trochez was briefly kidnapped Dec. 4 by four masked men who beat him.[2][3]
The assailants threatened to kill Trochez because of his participation in the anti-coup movement, the International Observatory on the Human Rights Situation said.[4] He was also a gay rights activist.[5][6]
Amnesty International reacted to the news of Torchez's death by demanding urgent and independent inquiry into the matter.[7][8]
On January 26 and 27 2010, several vigils and demos were organised in Berlin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, in solidarity with Gay Hondurans and for democracy.[9][10][11]
References
- ^ Gay City News: Honduran Regime Martyrs LGBT Leader
- ^ 21st Century Socialism: Killing activists in Honduras
- ^ Associated Press: Rights activist who protested Honduras coup killed
- ^ Associated Press: Rights activist who protested Honduras coup killed
- ^ Miami Herald: Death of Honduran gay activist illustrates spike in hate crimes
- ^ Pink News UK: Gay activist killed in Honduras
- ^ Amnesty International: "Honduras must launch full investigation into death of human rights campaigner," Dec. 15, 2009, accessed Dec. 26, 2009
- ^ Human Rights Watch: Honduras: Investigate Murders of LGBT People
- ^ Gays Without Borders: Walter Tróchez Queer Alliance: Demo in Berlin – 26 January 2010 – Rally & Vigil – San Francisco – Washington – Los Angeles
- ^ Gays Without Borders: Honduras – Walter Tróchez Queer Alliance: Demo in Berlin
- ^ Gays Without Borders: Walter Tróchez: San Francisco Vigil for Honduran Gays and Democracy