Lawyer Kevin Josué Ferrera, a prominent, leader of the opposition movement Los Indignados, was killed Aug. 9 2016 by a group of unknown persons armed with heavy weapons who attacked him while driving in his vehicle. Ferrera, who was the father of a little girl and was on his way home when two individuals, one who was driving a car and another who was on a motorcycle intercepted him and shot him inside his car. He died instantly. His car received at least twelve shots on the driver’s side and through the rear window.

During 2015, following the discovery of the embezzlement of millions of state funds belonging to the Institute of Honduran Social Security, IHSS, which were destined for the political campaign of the current government, a popular movement was formed that carried out massive demonstrations demanding the punishment of those responsible and the creation of an International Commission against Corruption and Impunity, similar to that created by the UN in Guatemala. The group also demanded the resignation of the President of the Republic. This movement largely led by young people was called “The Indignados”. Kevin Josue Ferrera was one of the most prominent leaders of the group.

As a human rights defender and as a legal professional Ferrera brought many cases before the courts demanding an investigation into corruption and human rights abuses. He also represented the leader of the Indignados movement, Miguel Briceňo, who was accused of allegedly attacking a policeman during a protest in November 2015. Ferrera also took part in many meetings with members of the opposition who developed the campaign against corruption and impunity in Honduras, MACCIH.

At the time of his assassination, Ferrera was national President of the organisation Liberal Youth which is part of the Liberal Party of Honduras. In one of its most recent statements given to the media before the recent re-election campaign, the organisation strongly criticised the current government as being “an evil government” – “there are no opportunities, no jobs, and now they are killing us on the streets”.