Social activists at risk - Real World Radio

Features / Social activists at risk

In this section Real World Radio aims to expose the murders of social activists and the cases of death threats against leaders. We will report on the wave of criminalization of the social protest. This new section of Real World Radio is also a memorial page for all those who were murdered in their struggle for a socially just world.

This special section is funded in part by the European Commission.

7 July 2014 | Interviews | Free Honduras | Social activists at risk

Arbitrary arrests, torture, murders and attacks against entire families in violent eviction commissioned by landowner Miguel Facusse

“They entered the community opening fire and throwing tear gas at us; there were children among us”. This is what leader Santos Rosado said about the violent eviction he and 700 families of the Panama community recently suffered. The action was carried out by members of the Xatruch Operation, the National Police and Security Guards of Dinant Corporation, belonging to businessman Miguel Facusse. Read more
4 July 2014 | Special reports | Stop Corporate Impunity - Geneva 2014 | Social activists at risk

“Dismantle Corporate Power and Impunity” campaign: two years and several key achievements

Although it is possible to trace its origins back to the opposition by social organizations to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and even the mobilizations that exposed the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the reproduction of dependence at world level, the Dismantle Corporate Power and Impunity campaign was created two years ago and last week it had a political victory that could imply a turning point. Read more
2 July 2014 | Interviews | Free Honduras | Social activists at risk

5th Anniversary of the Coup d´Etat in Honduras. Interview with leader Juan Barahona

Social movements and organizations commemorated on June 28th the 5th anniversary of the ousting of Honduran President Juan Manuel Zelaya by the coordinated forces of Roberto Michelletti. Read more
30 June 2014 | Interviews | Social activists at risk

Interview with Natalie Lowrey: solidarity with Malaysian people affected by Lynas Corporation

Environmental campaigner Natalie Lowrey was released unconditionally on police bail on Friday, in Malaysia. She is free to return home in Australia as long as the police do not press charges before she leaves. Natalie is quite confident it's not going to happen and it is likely she will be home by Wednesday. Read more
26 June 2014 | Interviews | All for the release of the political prisoners of Santa Cruz Barillas | Stop Corporate Impunity - Geneva 2014 | Social activists at risk

“The United Nations seems a little bit more ours today”

These were the words chosen by Real World Radio´s correspondent, Ignacio Cirio, to start his special report from Geneva, Switzerland, following his reporting of the big news: the United Nations Human Rights Council approved the creation of an intergovernmental group to create a binding treaty on corporations and human rights. Read more
24 June 2014 | Photo Galleries | Stop Corporate Impunity - Geneva 2014 | Social activists at risk

Transnational corporations accused of human rights violations

A special hearing of the Permanent Peoples´ Tribunal (PPT) started on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland in the framework of a week of mobilizations for the UN Human Rights Council to create an intergovernmental working group that establishes binding regulations for transnational corporations on human rights. See gallery
19 June 2014 | Interviews | Stop Corporate Impunity - Geneva 2014 | Social activists at risk

Organizations demand corporations be forced to respect HRs regulations

The possibility of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) creating an intergovernmental working group aiming to establish binding human rights regulations and mandatory enforcement mechanisms for transnational corporations is not that remote. Hundreds of social organizations are advocating for this to happen during the 26th session of the Council to take place from June 10 to 27 in Geneva, Switzerland. Read more
10 June 2014 | Interviews | Social activists at risk

Persecution of environmental defenders in Mexico

“We are not asking for much. Peace processes, spaces for dialogue, information. But when faced with an authoritarian State, this seems a lot”, said activist Rosalinda Hidalgo, of the Mexican Movement of People Affected by Dams and in Defense of Rivers (MAPDER). Read more
28 May 2014 | Interviews | Criminalization of COPINH | Social activists at risk

Interview with Bertha Caceres about the recent murders, attacks and cases of torture against COPINH members

A few days before its 10th General Assembly, the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations (COPINH) had to mourn the death of two of its members. On Saturday 24, William Jacobo Rodriguez, a leader in defense of the Gualcarque River and against the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project was murdered on his way home, in Rio Blanco. The following day, in San Francisco de Opalaca and after an indigenous assembly, Irene Meza was shot. While he was still alive and being being transferred to a medical center, the vehicle was intercepted and he was shot another six times. Read more
27 May 2014 | Interviews | Free Honduras | Land grabbing | Social activists at risk

Violent eviction and arrests of peasant families, including children, in Honduras

It was supposed to be a regular day of work for the Honduran peasant communities of San Isidro, El Despertar and La Trinidad farms, located by the Aguan River, in Trujillo municipality, Colon. After recovering their lands two years ago, the peasants produce several crops, such as maize and bananas, in addition to developing a livestock project. In the morning of May 21, the peasant families were surprised with a violent eviction by 300 members of the Xatruch III Operative and the Honduran National Police. Read more