International Expert Advisory Panel to Investigate Assassination of Berta Cáceres

Berta Cáceres Case: Creation of International Group of Experts to Collaborate with Investigation

Tegucigalpa, 7^th November 2016: At the request of Berta Cáceres Flores’ family, and with support from the Civil Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), Gustavo Castro Soto and numerous other national and international organizations, the International Expert Advisory Panel (GAIPE) was created to investigate the assassination of Berta Caceres and attempted murder of Gustavo Castro who was in the house when she was killed on March 2, 2016 in La Esperanza, Honduras.

GAIPE’s primary objective is an independent, impartial, and objective examination of the attack. Additionally, GAIPE will investigate the context and modus operandi that gave rise to the indigenous rights activists’ murder and threats and violence against other members of COPINH.  The panel consists of a team of specialists in international human rights, criminal, and comparative criminal law.

GAIPE will monitor the Honduran criminal investigation with a multicultural and gender perspective. The panel will also issue recommendations to guarantee that the facts are fully clarified and the victims receive comprehensive reparations for the harms suffered.  Further, GAIPE seeks to improve local criminal investigations of threats and violence against human rights defenders throughout the country.

“We are making our experience and skills available to ensure that the truth is quickly revealed and there is justice in this case,” said Liliana Uribe, Colombian lawyer and spokesperson for the group.  

The team consists of Liliana Uribe (Colombia), Miguel Ángel Urbina (Guatemala), Roxanna Altholz (United States), Daniel R. Saxon (Netherlands/United States), and Jorge Molano (Colombia). Each member has extensive experience and technical skills related to the investigation of human rights violations.

GAIPE arrived in Honduras on November 4^th to meet with the Cáceres’ family and Gustavo Castro’s and Caceres’ legal teams, COPINH, and to establish a dialogue with national authorities and organizations, in addition to other stakeholders.

On November 14^th at 9:30am, GAIPE will hold a press conference to provide additional information. The press event will take place in the Lenca meeting room, Hotel Plaza de El General, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Press Contact:

GAIPE GAIPEBC@gmail.com