organization and the residence of the beneficiary under the terms agreed during the
meeting held on February 16, 2012, and to rebuild the beneficiary’s trust in the authorities.
Regarding the meeting with the high-ranking State’s authorities, “they value[d] the efforts
made by the State to hold several meetings with the leaders of [state] institutions [,
however] they reiterate[d] their request for a single joint meeting, [...] to obtain a political
commitment from the highest authorities that the harassments will be properly
investigated.” On April 9, 2012 they suggested to the State five possible dates for the
meeting with the President of the Republic.
11.
In addition, by means of a communication of June 7, 2012, the representatives
indicated that Mrs. Lanza Ochoa “requires to be informed 15 days in advance” of any
meeting in order to organize her schedule and “take her own self-protection measures”.
Moreover, on May 7th, 2012, the beneficiary signed the authorization as injured party
(autorización de ofendida) so that the Public Prosecutors Office investigates the crime of
threats committed against her, recorded under number 1731, and on May 14, 2012, she
appeared before the Public Prosecutor’s Office in order to authorize a system analyst to
assess her email account.
12.
In turn, during the public hearing the Commission indicated that:
a) In the instant case, there is no perspective that assimilates the structural
problems hindering the protection of human rights defenders in Honduras,
which affects the efficacy of the implementation of the provisional measures
in favor of the beneficiary;
b) There is no general perspective on human rights defenders either.
Consequently, it is necessary to address the issue in a comprehensive
manner, including: i) safety, ii) the need to foster conditions so that the
beneficiary is able to do her specific work, iii) a serious and independent
assessment of the risk; iv) taking the beneficiary’s opinions as determining
factors; v) creating an environment and a mechanism of trust for the
beneficiary; and vi) to investigate the threats and harassments that led to
the adoption of the measures of protection; and
c) The current situation calls for an immediate response, starting with an initial
dialog by which protective measures are offered to Ms. Gladys Lanza Ochoa
so that she can assess them and request the best measures applicable to her
situation.
13.
In turn, the Commission noted that there are no communication channels and
coordination actions between the beneficiary, her representatives and the State’s
authorities, “a circumstance that hinders the implementation of the protective measures". In
addition, it considered it was important for the State to foster trust between government
actors and the beneficiary, so that the State may design security schemes that are
appropriate and effective for her protection.
14.
The Inter-American Court takes cognizance of the actions taken by the State in order
to implement the provisional measures ordered by the Court and agreed with the
representatives. Nevertheless, in spite of the attempts to coordinate after the public hearing
held in the instant case (supra Considering clauses 6 and 10), the Tribunal notes that there
continues to be discrepancies among the parties regarding compliance with the measures of
protection. Specifically there are discrepancies in: the way to conduct the police patrolling of
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