World Report 2011 - Human Rights Watch

AMERICASSecurity forces have obstructed investigations of abuses committed after thecoup. Under the de facto government, military and police personnel systematicallyrefused to cooperate with investigators. They failed to turn over firearms for ballisticstests, to respond to information requests to identify officers accused ofcommitting abuses, and to grant access to military installations. The situation hasimproved somewhat under Lobo, but the prior lack of cooperation has had a lastingimpact on the investigations.In October, the Honduran Congress approved an increased budget for the unitonly for 2011.Judicial IndependenceImmediately after the 2009 coup the Supreme Court held that the replacement ofZelaya was a legitimate “constitutional succession of power.” The court subsequentlyfailed to resolve in a timely manner appeals challenging the constitutionalityof measures by the de facto government that undermined basic rights. Itwaited until the de facto government revoked the measures and ruled that theappeals were then moot.The Supreme Court has absolute power to appoint and remove judges, and thecourt has used this power to advance a politically partisan agenda, seriouslydamaging the reputation of the judiciary. The court can fire judges applying vaguedefinitions of “fault,” such as carrying out “activities that are incompatible withthe honor of the position or that somehow affect its dignity.” There is no provisionto appeal the removals before an independent body.In May 2010 the Court fired four judges who opposed the coup. One judge hadpresented an appeal in favor of Zelaya, two others were present in anti-coupdemonstrations, and another said in an academic conference that there had beena coup. While the court argued it was firing them because judges may not getinvolved in politics, it applied a clear double-standard, failing to sanction judgeswho supported the coup.253