security forces have also been either directly or indirectly involved in attacks on the rights of human rights activists.”15 49. Because of the situation of violence against people devoted to the defense and promotion of natural resources in Honduras, in 2007 the State created the “Group for Investigation of Environmental Activists’ Deaths (...) – reporting to the Secretary of State, Security Office – which is exclusively in charge of the investigation of cases involving the death of environmental activists.”16 In the case of Luna López v. Honduras, the Court spoke about this mechanism and said that it had no information about the length of time it was in operation.17 The Court added that “the [Honduran] State has not implemented an overall public policy aimed at protecting the supporters of human rights, in particular environmental activists.”18 50. Similarly, in 2012, Margaret Sekaggya, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, issued a report on her visit to Honduras in February of that year. 19 In that report, she noted with concern “the degree of violence affecting people claiming their economic, social and cultural rights, including land rights, by peaceful means.”20 She also reported that “defenders protecting natural resources (forest, land and water) have been repeatedly arrested, beaten and, in some instances, killed because of their activities.”21 51. The Rapporteur stated that “such violations are commonly attributed to law enforcement authorities. However, collusion and/or acquiescence has also reportedly been shown with regard to abuses committed by private actors, inter alia, criminal gangs and private security guards.”22 She added that according to the information gathered during her visit, “impunity for such violations was a chronic problem.”23 She therefore concluded that, “as a matter of priority, impunity should be addressed and human rights defenders should be provided with effective protection.”24 2. Regarding Carlos Escaleras Mejía 52. Mr. Carlos Escaleras Mejía was born in the city of Tocoa, Colón department, on August 10, 1958.25 While at secondary school, he belonged to the Students’ Revolutionary Front and to the Progressive Student Movement. Mr. Escaleras later earned a degree in social promotion. 26 15 Annex 5. UN, Economic and Social Council, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Human Rights Defenders, Report submitted by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights defenders, Hina Jilani, Addendum, Compilation of developments in the area of human rights defenders, E/CN.4/2006/95/Add.5, March 6, 2006, para. 724. 16 I/A Court H. R., Case of Kawas Fernández v. Honduras, Merits, Reparations, and Costs, Judgment of April 3, 2009, Series C No. 196, para. 70. 17 para. 18. I/A Court H. R., Case of Luna López v. Honduras, Merits, Reparations, and Costs, Judgment of October 10, 2013, Series C No. 269, 18 I/A Court H. R., Case of Kawas Fernández v. Honduras, Merits, Reparations, and Costs, Judgment of April 3, 2009, Series C No. 196, para. 70. 19 Annex 6. UN, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, Mission to Honduras, A/HRC/22/47/Add.1, December 13, 2012, paras. 73 and 82. 20 Annex 6. UN, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, Mission to Honduras, A/HRC/22/47/Add.1, December 13, 2012, paras. 73 and 82. 21 Annex 6. UN, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, Mission to Honduras, A/HRC/22/47/Add.1, December 13, 2012, paras. 73 and 82. 22 Annex 6. UN, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, Mission to Honduras, A/HRC/22/47/Add.1, December 13, 2012, para. 66. 23 Annex 6. UN, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, Mission to Honduras, A/HRC/22/47/Add.1, December 13, 2012, para. 66. 24 Annex 6. UN, Human Rights Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, Mission to Honduras, A/HRC/22/47/Add.1, December 13, 2012, para. 69. 25 Annex 7. Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH), Erguidos como pinos. Memoria sobre la construcción de la conciencia ambientalista, Honduras, 2006, p. 39. 8