80 Participation in demonstrations, statements against the coup made by way of the media or the resistance actions –such as the teachers’ strike- have drawn a disproportionate reaction on the part of the de facto authorities, carried out for the purpose of silencing public opinion. The Commission observes that this policy of intolerance and repression limits Honduran society’s right to political participation because its goal is to silence the criticism that arose in response to the illegitimate government’s takeover and in so doing eliminates any type of political opposition by creating a climate of insecurity and terror.329 277. The effort to crush the public demonstrations through the excessive use of force and massive, arbitrary detentions was particularly pervasive. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights found that “the security forces carried out serious assaults on persons in the aftermath of the coup d’état, including acts of torture, ill-treatment of detainees and the systematic use of excessive force against people participating in demonstrations.” For its part, the IACHR documented the systematic detention of demonstrators during these events and concluded that “thousands of unlawful and arbitrary detentions have been made since the coup d’état, both in enforcing the curfew and during the demonstrations in support of President Zelaya.”330 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that “the arbitrary or illegal arrests systematically involved persons who participated in political demonstrations in support of President Zelaya, and those who were known to be political, social or human rights leaders.”331 278. The Commission notes that the widespread violence was matched by acts of selective repression, targeting persons considered to be opponents of the de facto government, particularly social leaders and union leaders, human rights defenders, journalists and public officials.332 In the specific case of public officials, the IACHR documented dismissals, arrest warrants, episodes of persecution, threats and harassment, all for deeds that were interpreted as being in opposition to the interests and policy of the de facto government.333 In this regard, the Commission expressed the view that under the de facto 329 IACHR. Honduras: Human Rights and Coup d’état, 2009. OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55. December 30, 2009. Paragraph 403. Available at: http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Honduras09eng/Toc.htm 330 IACHR. Honduras: Human Rights and Coup d’état. OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55. December 30, 2009. Paragraph 340 et seq 331 Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Informe Para que los hechos no se repitan [So That Events Are Not Repeated]. July 2009. Volume I, p. 326. Available [in Spanish] at: http://www.sjdh.gob.hn/recomendacionesCVR/sites/default/files/VOLUME-IFINAL%20Para%20que%20los%20hechos%20no%20se%20repitan%20-%20Informe%20de%20la%20CVR.pdf. 332 IACHR. Honduras: Human Rights and Coup d’état, 2009. OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55. December 30, 2009. Paragraphs 179-197. Available at: http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Honduras09eng/Toc.htm; IACHR, Preliminary Observations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on its Visit to Honduras, May 15 to 18, 2010. OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc 68. June 3, 2010. Paragraphs 23 a 67. Available at: http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Honduras10eng/Honduras10TOC.eng.htm; United Nations. Human Rights Council. A/HRC/13/66. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the violations of human rights in Honduras since the coup d’état on 28 June 2009. March 3, 2010, paragraphs 41 to 45 and 57 to 66. Available at: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/13session/A-HRC-13-66.pdf and Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Report titled Para que los hechos no se repitan [So That Events Are Not Repeated]. July 2009. Volume I, p. 347. Available [in Spanish] at: http://www.sjdh.gob.hn/recomendacionesCVR/sites/default/files/VOLUME-IFINAL%20Para%20que%20los%20hechos%20no%20se%20repitan%20-%20Informe%20de%20la%20CVR.pdf. 333 IACHR. Honduras: Human Rights and Coup d’état, 2009. OEA/Ser.L/V/II. Doc. 55. December 30, 2009. Paragraphs 182-196. Available at: http://www.cidh.org/countryrep/Honduras09eng/Toc.htm .