Mirna Teresa Suazo Martínez

Source IM Defensoras

FACTS – On Sunday, September 8, defender of Garifuna territory Mirna Teresa Suazo Martínez was killed by unidentified persons who arrived by motorcycle at the restaurant she owned in the community of Masca, and shot her dead.

Mirna Teresa Suazo was the president of the Board of Trustees of the Community of Masca in Omoa, a community that, according to the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH), is part of the area of ​​influence of one of the “model cities” and that has also on several occasions rejected the construction of two hydroelectric plants on the river of the same name.

According to data from the National Network of Human Rights Defenders in Honduras, the killing of Mirna Teresa Suazo brings to four the number of Garifuna women killed so far this September.

IM-Defenders and the National Network of Human Rights Defenders in Honduras condemn the murder of Mirna Teresa Suazo and express our solidarity with her family and the members of OFRANEH.

Likewise, we call on the international community to address the serious situation currently faced by women and Garifuna communities in Honduras.


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Americas

Country:Honduras

Department/Province/State:Cortes

Sex1:Female

Date of Killing:08/09/2019

Previous Threats:No information

Type of Work:Community leader

Organisation:Patronato de la Comunidad de Masca en Omoa

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Afro Descendant Rights, Environmental Rights, Extractive industries/Mega projects

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).