Report in which the committee requests to be kept informed of development - Report No 251, June 1987

Case No 1369 (Honduras) - Complaint date: 15-MAY-86 - Closed

1. 288. The complaints of the World Federation of Trade Unions and of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions are contained in communications dated 15 and 21 May 1986, respectively. The Government sent its observations in communications of 5 November 1986 and 9 March 1987.
2. 289. Honduras has ratified the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

A. The complainants' allegations

1. 290. The World Federation of Trade Unions alleges that on 9 May 1986 Government security forces assassinated Mr. Cristóbal Pérez Díaz, a trade union leader affiliated to the Workers' Front in San Pedro Sula.
2. 291. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) states that Mr. Cristóbal Pérez Díaz was a leader of the Beverage and Allied Workers' Trade Union, and that he was gunned down in front of his home in Tegucigalpa by unidentified civilians. The ICFTU adds that Mr. Cristóbal Pérez Díaz was a member of the trade union committee which was negotiating a collective agreement with the authorities responsible for the Honduran social security, and that he had led the workers' demonstration on May Day. The ICFTU adds that trade union, political and church leaders agree that the killing was motivated by political and trade union considerations.

B. The Government's reply

1. 292. In its communication of 5 November 1986 the Government regretfully states that it can shed little light on the death of Mr. Cristóbal Pérez Díaz on 9 May 1986, since the National Investigation Department as well as the Criminal Court of San Pedro Sula are unable to provide additional information as the case is still in its preliminary stages. The Government adds that the unfortunate event occurred in San Pedro Sula, and not in Tegucigalpa.
2. 293. In its communication of 9 March 1987, the Government reiterates that it is unable to provide additional information, given the status of the case.

C. The Committee's conclusions

1. 294. The Committee deeply regrets the violent death of trade union leader Cristóbal Pérez Díaz on 9 May 1986. On previous occasions in cases involving allegations concerning the death of a trade union leader, the Committee has urged that judicial investigations be held with a view to clarifying the facts, and identifying and punishing the guilty parties. In this connection, the Committee notes that the Criminal Court of San Pedro Sula has instituted proceedings concerning the death of Mr. Cristóbal Pérez Díaz, and that the proceedings are still in a preliminary stage. The Committee expresses the hope that the proceedings will conclude in the near future with the identification of the guilty parties.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 295. In the light of its foregoing conclusions, the Committee invites the Governing Body to approve the following recommendation:
   • The Committee deeply regrets the violent death of trade union leader Cristóbal Pérez Díaz, and requests the Government to keep it informed of developments in the corresponding investigation and proceedings.