53. In 1979, Carlos Escaleras Mejía, whose mother is Ofelia Mejía, married Marta Alvarenga Reyes.27 They had six children: Douglas Arnaldo, Emerson Alexander, Carlos Andrés, Marta Agripina, Omar Josué, and Alvin, who died at an early age. 28 In addition, Mr. Escaleras had six siblings: Eldin, René, Yolanda, Andrés, Omar, and Alma, all with the surnames Mejía Alvarenga.29 2.1. Activities of Carlos Escaleras Mejía on behalf of natural resources, his political participation, and threats received 54. As indicated by both parties, Carlos Escaleras Mejía was one of the foremost social leaders and human rights defenders in the Valle del Aguán region of Honduras. The petitioners indicated that Mr. Escaleras had worked as leader in a number of organizations, including the following: (i) the Union of National Electricity Company Workers (SITRAENEE), (ii) the National Farm Workers’ Central (CNTC), (iii) the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH), and (iv) the Common Front of Local Citizen Organizations.30 55. Later, Carlos Escaleras founded and led the Coordinating Committee of Peoples’ Organizations of Aguán (COPA).31 The petitioners state that from within COPA, Mr. Escaleras Mejía forged ties with community organizations and environmentalist movements.32 They report that COPA became a major social movement with a high level of credibility for its positions in defense of human rights. 33 They say that it denounced and opposed the activities of various companies that were harming the valley’s environment and ecosystem by dumping toxic substances into its rivers.34 56. Carlos Escaleras Mejía’s work, described in the above terms, has not been disputed by the State. On the contrary, as indicated in the section dealing with the positions of the parties, the State of Honduras has acknowledged that Mr. Escaleras Mejía was “one of the most prominent social leaders in the Aguán valley (…) and served as the head of several organizations.” 57. Various statements indicate that months before his murder, Mr. Escaleras came out strongly against the construction of a palm-oil plant on the banks of the Tocoa River, because the toxic waste dumped (…Continuación) 26 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. 27 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. 28 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. 29 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. 30 Annex 8. Initial petition of January 14, 2002. 31 Annex 8. Initial petition of January 14, 2002; 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. 32 Annex 8. Initial petition of January 14, 2002. 33 Annex 8. Initial petition of January 14, 2002; 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. 34 Annex 8. Initial petition of January 14, 2002. 9