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Home › Dodgy Deals ›
Dodgy Deal
Agua Zarca hydro projectHonduras

Project – Active

This profile is actively maintained
Lead organisation:
BankTrack
Contact:

Johan Frijns, BankTrack

Last update: 2022-06-29 00:00:00
Indigenous groups speak out against FMO, one of the project's financiers, in 2014. Photo: COPINH

Project – Active

This profile is actively maintained
Lead organisation:
BankTrack
Contact:

Johan Frijns, BankTrack

Last update: 2022-06-29 00:00:00
Why this profile?

What must happen

Following the death of Berta Caceres and the ongoing human rights violations all financiers (FMO, Finnfund and CABEI) must immediately terminate their support for the project and leave. UPDATE: In July 2017 FMO and Finnfund confirmed their exit from the project. See above and under updates/news.

About
Sectors Hydroelectric Power Generation
Location
Status
Planning
Design
Agreement
Cancelled
Operation
Closure
Decommission
Website http://hidroelectricaaguazarca.hn
This project has been identified as an Equator Project

With a generating capacity of 22 megawatts, a 300 metre-long reservoir and a 3 kilometre long diversion channel between the dam and the turbines, Agua Zarca - being constructed by the Honduran corporation DESA - is a relatively small hydroelectric project. But for the local Lenca - indigenous peoples living in Río Blanco,  between the departments of Intibucá and Santa Bárbara in western Honduras - it is big enough: the project threatens to dessicate the river Gualcarque and therewith the communal farm lands. The river is an important resource for swimming, washing and fishing, with important cultural and spiritual value.

In 2015, the project was relocated to the opposite side of the Gualcarque river. Therefore, it is no longer to be built on indigenous farm lands, although these may continue to be affected by dessication. In October 2015, construction on the west side started. After the murder of Berta Caceres and other violent incidents in the beginning of 2016, the project's funding was suspended. A fact-finding mission was sent by the lenders, whose findings were published in September 2016. FMO and Finnfund declared to withdraw from the project, and their exit was finalised in July 2017. 

Impacts

Social and human rights impacts

Many of the indigenous local population fear for their future and the future of their children. Although the relocation of the project prevents further destruction of their farm lands, they fear for desiccation of their lands. Since an unknown amount of water will be channeled, the village of La Tejera, one of the bigger villages in the area, may loose its access to water.

Flowing water has a deep spiritual value for the Lenca population; damming and stopping this water flow means putting a barrier to the life of the river. Spiritual ceremonies are regularly held at the riverbank, which cannot be performed if the river will run dry. There has been an agreement between the mayor and DESA, in which DESA promises a couple of jobs (without detailing the number or the payment), as well as street building and maintenance and partial electrification. The connection of two communities to the main line, but not the electrification of the households. However the community rejects these token gestures and claims that these are responsibilities of the state.

Especially the community of La Tejera, in which protest is widespread, has been socially affected by the project and has to pay a high price for their opposition. Crime and violence has risen since the project began. Infamous hitmen have been reported to be present and several villagers have been attacked and murdered under unclear circumstances. Also, conflict between communities has increased. Inhabitants of other communities are reported to be paid by DESA to guard the construction site with machetes.

The heavy militarization of the region and the constant intimidation, the community reports gun shots at night, arbitrary house inspections and detentions, sexual harassment and death threats, not to mention the killing and injuring of opponents by the military in July 2013, creates a general climate of violence and fear.

The opposition against the Agua Zarca project is seen as the most important struggle of all struggles COPINH is involved in. In their defense of indigenous land against 50 other megaprojects, Agua Zarca is symbolic. 'If they can build this dam, they can build anything they want', a member of COPINH stated.

There have been constant human rights violations connected with the imposition of the Agua Zarca dam, especially the right of indigenous peoples to be consulted (free prior informed consent, FPIC) and to their land and territory, the right to free expression and to assembly, the right to physical integrity, the right to food, the right to water and the right to life, among others. Although the project was relocated, previous construction has damaged farm land, for which villagers not have been compensated. Both DESA and investors point out communal meetings which have been held, but the fact that DESA organised and facilitated these meetings disqualifies them as FPIC, as described in ILO 169.

The state is not only failing to respect human rights and to assure that the company obeys them, but is actively supporting DESA by sending in the military and police force. They are based at the company's facilities, drive in the company's cars, and help out with military equipment and intimidation of the population. This creates the impression that the company has command over the military and police force. Maybe it is no coincidence that the director of DESA, David Castillo, studied in the West Point Military Academy of the US and served as the assistant of the director of the Honduran Army Intelligence. He has also worked as the Technical Director of the Honduran Energy Company ENEE right before joining DESA. Moreover, he was prosecuted for three different corruption charges while he worked for the state.

The project implementation was accompanied by the militarization of the area. Local opponents are subject to arbitrary house inspections and detentions. Several people have been subject to death threats: the COPINH coordinator Berta Cáceres and the other COPINH members Tomás Gomez and Aureliano Molina, also Francisco Javier Sánchez, Lucio Sánchez and others.

On 24th May 2013, Berta Cáceres and Tomás Gomez were arbitrarily arrested in a military checkpoint close to the project, accused of illegally carrying a weapon - which turned out to be a military weapon which was being put in the truck bed ("paila" of the pick-up) at the checkpoint. Since then, Berta Cáceres has been subject to legal restrictions ("medidas cautelares"), even though the case has been temporarily suspended in the court.

On July 15th 2013, military personnel, positioned inside the company's logistics headquarters, opened fire against peaceful local protesters and, with numerous shots from two metres distance, directly targeted and killed the local indigenous leader Tomás García. He, as COPINH members confirm, had earlier been offered money for stopping the protest, which he had refused. His son Allan García was heavily injured and several others injured.

On 2nd March 2016, Berta Cáceres was murdered in her house. Over the years she received numerous death threats. She had insisted on protection by state forces, which the state refused to provide. The murder led to demonstrations in many parts of the world.

Lenca women, who are usually responsible of providing the water for the family and washing the clothes, would probably suffer most from a restricted access to the river which for some represents the only water source. Harrasment of female protesters has been known to take place.


Environmental and climate impacts

For the building of the 300 metre-long water reservoir, the diversion channel, the machine house and new streets to the construction site, many trees are being torn down. Several villagers fear the effect this may have on the vulnerable climate. The peasant communities are fully dependent on their corn, bean, vegetable and coffee fields. Besides, by interrupting the flow of the river, fish will be hindered from moving downstream.

Financiers
Institution type
Finance type
Year

Total project costs are around USD 64 million.

Companies

Project sponsor

Desarrollos Energéticos S.A. (DESA)

Honduras
Website
The lead company behind the Agua Zarca dam.
No companies

Other companies

COPRECA

Honduras
Website
They operated as main constructor of the project until the end of 2014.

Gerencia Ambiental Internacional (GAI)

Guatemala
Website
Conducted Enironmental & Social Appraisal report in June 2012 and a Due Dilligence report in 2014.

Monkey Forest Consulting

Hong Kong
Website
Hired by FMO to conduct a Social Site Assessment in June 2014 and Quarterly Monitoring Reports on DESA from 2015 onwards.

Pöyry Energy Oy

Finland
Website
Provider of technical advise for Agua Zarca.

Voith Hydro

Germany
Website
Contracted to provide turbines for Agua Zarca.
No companies
News
BankTrack
Partners
Blog
External
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Berta Cáceres: new rules for banks could help stop defender killings

2023-01-23 | Global Witness
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Daughter of murdered Honduran human rights activist files criminal complaint against Dutch Development Bank FMO

2022-06-28 | Global Justice Association
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

The Cash Before The Killing

Newly Released Documents Reveal International Funding Trail Preceding the Murder of Berta Cáceres
2022-06-23 | The Intercept
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FICOHSA Bank lobbies in the U.S. against the Berta Cáceres Law and lies again

Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras COPINH
2021-07-09 | COPINH
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Streep door omstreden lening FMO aan Hondurese bank

(article in Dutch: Controversial FMO loan to Honduran bank cancelled)
2021-05-20 | Financieele Dagblad
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Civil society welcomes FMO decision to not provide loan to Honduran bank FICOHSA

2021-05-20 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Berta Cáceres: seven men convicted of murdering Honduran environmentalist

2018-11-30 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Bank faces lawsuit over Honduras dam project as spirit of Berta Cáceres lives on

2018-05-18 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

DESA Killed Berta! Capture the people who gave the orders!

COPINH's statement on the GAIPE report
2017-11-04 | COPINH
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Onderzoeksteam: Nederlandse ontwikkelingsbank FMO medeschuldig aan moord op Hondurese activist

2017-11-01 | de Volkskrant
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Who Ordered Killing of Honduran Activist? Evidence of Broad Plot Is Found

2017-10-28 | New York Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Environmentalists in Honduras, “neither ignorant nor anti-development”

2017-10-11 | Equal Times
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Dutch development bank takes step forward on human rights, but must do more to protect defenders

2017-09-27 | Global Witness
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Hydroelectric Project Opposed by Berta Caceres Suspended

2017-07-10 | Tegucigalpa | Prensa Latina
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Controversial hydropower project that led to murder of land defender Berta Cáceres halted as funders forced to pull out

2017-07-07 | Global Witness
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

COPINH communicates that FMO and Finn Fund have confirmed their official exit from the murderous Agua Zarca Project

2017-07-06 | Honduras | COPINH
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Daughter of murdered Honduran activist survives armed attack

Assault on daughter of environmentalist Berta Cáceres, who leads indigenous rights group, heightens fears of violence against campaigners in Honduras
2017-07-04 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

New death threats in Rio Blanco against COPINH members

2017-06-21 | COPINH
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

COPINH: La Trampa de los Bancos

In Spanish only
2017-06-12 | COPINH
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Backers of Honduran dam opposed by murdered activist withdraw funding

International investors withdraw completely from Agua Zarca project
2017-06-04 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Constitutional Challenge Presented Against Agua Zarca

2017-03-08 | COPINH
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

A letter to Dutch minister one year after Berta Cáceres' murder

2017-03-02 | Both ENDS
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Two new reports confirm the need for lenders to exit responsibly from the Agua Zarca Hydroelectric Project in Honduras

Investigations come after the murder of renowned human rights defender, Berta Cáceres
2016-09-30 | Amsterdam | SOMO and Both ENDS
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

‘More than half’ banks failing on human rights considerations, says report

2016-06-29 | Responsible Investor [$]
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Berta Cáceres's name was on Honduran military hitlist, says former soldier

2016-06-21 | The Guardian
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Civil society response on announcement European financiers to ‘seek to exit’ Agua Zarca project

2016-05-11 | Nijmegen | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Honduras Officials Link Hydroelectric Company to Activist's Murder

2016-05-09
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

'Time was running out': Honduran activist's last days marked by threats

2016-04-26 | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

An interview with Gustavo Castro, sole witness of the murder of Berta Caceres

2016-04-19 | the Intercept
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Honduras murders prompt dam funds freeze

2016-03-17 | Financial Times
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FMO and Finnfund suspend support for Agua Zarca Dam

Civil society groups demand permanent withdrawal from project
2016-03-16 | San Fransisco, the Hague | International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

European Funders Suspend Support for Agua Zarca Dam

BankTrack quoted
2016-03-16 | Huffington Post
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Nederlandse Ontwikkelingsbank financiert geweld

2016-03-15 | Volkskrant
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FMO financiert dam ook na verdachte moord

2016-03-12 | NRC Next
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

The ongoing crime against environmentalists in honduras must end

2016-03-11
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FMO moet zich terugtrekken uit aanleg omstreden dam Honduras

2016-03-11
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Honduras: Berta Cáceres, human rights defender & indigenous leader who opposed Agua Zarca dam, assassinated

2016-03-10 | Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Berta Cáceres murder: Honduras blocks sole witness from leaving country

2016-03-10 | Honduras | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Murdered Honduran activist Berta Cáceres buried as others vow to continue fight

2016-03-06 | Honduras | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Murder of activist Berta Cáceres sparks violent clashes in Honduras

2016-03-04 | Honduras | The Guardian
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Honduras: Environmentalist Berta Caceres shot dead

2016-03-03 | Honduras
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Goldman Environmental Foundation mourns the loss of Berta Cáceres

2016-03-03 | The Goldman Envornmental Prize
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Honduras: Indigenous Leader Murdered Despite Police Protection

2016-03-03 | Honduras | Telesur
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Berta Cáceres, Indigenous Activist Is Kiled in Honduras

2016-03-03 | Honduras | The New York Times
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Who Killed Berta Cáceres?

2016-03-03 | Honduras | The Huffington Post
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

FMO and Finnfund seek to exit Agua Zarca

2016 | BankTrack
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Green Climate Fund under pressure to shun HSBC and Credit Agricole

BankTrack quoted
2015-10-30 | Environmental Finance ($)
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

PR – Siemens Linked to Major Rights Abuses Across Americas

2015-01-26 | International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

'Green' bond issuance booming, but standards are unclear

BankTrack quoted
2015-01-26 | Reuters
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Big Banks Propping Up Dirty Coal Industry to the Tune of $89 Billion

BankTrack quoted
2014-12-05 | The Huffington Post
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Long noses: Shell, GDF Suez, Samsung sweep Pinocchio Awards

BankTrack quoted
2014-11-19 | The Economist
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks invest record €66bn in coal sector

2014-10-30 | RTCC - Responding To Climate Change
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

World’s NGOs warn UN of ‘greenwash’ in green bonds market

BankTrack quoted
2014-09-23 | Environmental Finance
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Is GDF’s green bond issue really green?

BankTrack quoted
2014-07-10 | Environmental Finance ($)
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Engagement actionnarial: la stratégie européenne des ONG

2014-06-05 | Novethic
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Nederlandse bank wekt woede Hondurese indianen - FMO, Agua Zarca

2014-05-06 | Volkskrant
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

How Indigenous Communities in Honduras Are Resisting US-Backed Multinationals

2014-04-19 | Nation
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Barclays and Citigroup Funded Worst of U.S. Coal Industry

BankTrack quoted
2014-04-17 | Bloomberg
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Indigenous groups in Honduras speak out against Dutch development bank FMO

Reject financing of the Agua Zarca dam project
2014-04-16 | La Tejera, Rio Blanco, Honduras
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

12 more banks sign up to Green Bond Principles

BankTrack quoted
2014-04-14 | Environmental Finance ($)
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Call to strengthen Green Bond Principles

BankTrack quoted
2014-04-10 | Environmental Finance ($)
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks out to prove sustainability is a central pillar of their principles

BankTrack quoted
2013-09-30 | Global Capital
Blog
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Indigenous protest against Agua Zarca dam in Honduras criminalised

Court case against indigenous leaders will not stop resistance against project
2013-09-12 | Tegucigalpa
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

We Don't Negotiate Life: The Defense of Indigenous Lands and Waters in Honduras

2013-09-09 | Honduras | Huffington Post
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Honduras: Army fires on Indigenous protestors

2013-07-23 | Amnesty International
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

The Bullet That Killed Tomás Garcia

2013-07-19 | International Rivers
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Justice in Honduras for Berta Cáceres of COPINH and the indigenous Lenca in their struggles to defend their lands

2013-06-12 | FoodFirst
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Banks back ‘broader, more robust’ Equator Principles

BankTrack quoted
2013-05-14 | Environmental Finance ($)
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Sustainability in the spotlight keeps banks on guard against greenwash

BankTrack quoted
2013-02-07 | Business Review Weekly
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

BankTrack not satisfied with new draft of Equator Principles

BankTrack quoted
2012-10-17 | New York | Social Funds
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Beefed up Equator Principles fail to impress campaigners

2010-07-28 | ENDS Report
BankTrack news BankTrack blog Partner news Partner blog

Milestones: China’s Banks Face Call To Tighten Environmental Standards

BankTrack quoted
2007-06-01 | Global Finance Magazine
Resources
Documents
Images
Videos
Links
2018-11-15 00:00:00

Letter from Meri Mononen-Matias and the Indigenous People and the Earth, Finland to Finnfund on Draft Human Rights Statement

Correspondence
2018-11-15 00:00:00 | Meri Mononen-Matias and the Indigenous People and the Earth, Finland
2017-12-08 00:00:00

How banks contribute to human rights violations

BankTrack Human Rights Briefing Paper
BankTrack publication
2017-12-08 00:00:00 | BankTrack
2017-08-21 00:00:00

Letter from COPINH to FMO, Finnfund on proposed consultation process Agua Zarca

Correspondence
2017-08-21 00:00:00 | COPINH
2017-05-30 00:00:00

When Corruption Is the Operating System: The Case of Honduras

Other document
2017-05-30 00:00:00 | Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
2017-03-02 00:00:00

Letter from Both ENDS, SOMO, and others to Dutch Minister and CEO of FMO on Commemoration murder Berta Cáceres

Correspondence
2017-03-02 00:00:00 | Both ENDS, SOMO, and others
2017-01-31 00:00:00

Honduras: The deadliest place to defend the planet

NGO document
2017-01-31 00:00:00 | Global Witness
2016-07-21 00:00:00

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples on her visit to Honduras

Other document
2016-07-21 00:00:00 | United Nations Human Rights Council
2016-06-03 00:00:00

Beantwoording kamervragen over het geweld rondom het Agua Zarca project in Honduras en de vermeende betrokkenheid van de Nederlandse ontwikkelingsbank FMO

Other document
2016-06-03 00:00:00 | Minister voor Buitenlandse Handel en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
2016-05-27 00:00:00

FMO finalizes review of projects in Honduras

Bank document
2016-05-27 00:00:00 | FMO
2016-05-24 00:00:00

Letter from NGO Coalition to shareholders FMO on Agua Zarca

Correspondence
2016-05-24 00:00:00 | NGO Coalition
2016-05-11 00:00:00

Civil society response on announcement European financiers to ‘seek to exit’ Agua Zarca project

Correspondence
2016-05-11 00:00:00 | BankTrack
2016-05-09 00:00:00

Finnfund seeks to exit Agua Zarca project

Bank document
2016-05-09 00:00:00 | Finnfund
2016-05-09 00:00:00

FMO seeks to exit Agua Zarca project

Bank document
2016-05-09 00:00:00 | FMO
2016-05-04 00:00:00

comment DESA on arrest related to murder Berta Caceres

Company document
2016-05-04 00:00:00 | DESA
2016-05-04 00:00:00

Voith suspends deliveries for Agua Zarca

Company document
2016-05-04 00:00:00 | Voith Hydro
2016-04-21 00:00:00

FMO response to advertisement in Volkskrant

Bank document
2016-04-21 00:00:00
2016-04-19 00:00:00

Flyer COPINH delegation tour Europe

April 19 - May 6 2016
BankTrack publication
2016-04-19 00:00:00 | Friends of the Earth Europe, BankTrack
2016-03-24 00:00:00

Letter from Anne de Jonghe and Jordy Willems to Dutch government and FMO on financing of violence in Honduras

Correspondence
2016-03-24 00:00:00 | Anne de Jonghe and Jordy Willems
2016-03-16 00:00:00

FMO suspends all activities in Honduras effective immediately

Bank document
2016-03-16 00:00:00
2016-03-14 00:00:00

Letter from NGO Coalition to Dutch Governement on Agua Zarca financing FMO

Correspondence
2016-03-14 00:00:00 | NGO Coalition
2016-03-12 00:00:00

Statement on the assasination of Berta Caceres

Company document
2016-03-12 00:00:00 | Voith Siemens
2016-03-09 00:00:00

Letter from FMO to President of Honduras on Berta Caceres

Bank document
2016-03-09 00:00:00 | FMO
2016-03-09 00:00:00

Finnfund FAQ on Agua Zarca Project

Bank document
2016-03-09 00:00:00
2016-03-09 00:00:00

Letter from COPINH lawyer to FMO on Agua Zarca

Correspondence
2016-03-09 00:00:00 | COPINH lawyer
2016-03-07 00:00:00

Statement Finnfund on Agua Zarca

Bank document
2016-03-07 00:00:00 | Finnfund
2016-03-05 00:00:00

FMO FAQ sheet on Agua Zarca project Honduras

Bank document
2016-03-05 00:00:00 | FMO
2016-03-04 00:00:00

FMO statement on the passing away of Berta Caceres

Bank document
2016-03-04 00:00:00 | FMO
2016-02-14 00:00:00

Protest and Violence over the Agua Zarca dam

Other document
2016-02-14 00:00:00 | Jordy Willems & Anne de Jonghe
2014-06-05 00:00:00

Beantwoording Kamervragen over het bericht dat ontwikkelingsbank FMO doorgaat met een omstreden stuwdamproject in Honduras

Other document
2014-06-05 00:00:00 | Minister voor Buitenlandse Handel en Ontwikkelingssamenwerking
2014-05-08 00:00:00

Contract between DESA and financiers

Bank document
2014-05-08 00:00:00 | Camara de Comercio e Industria
2014-05-07 00:00:00

Studie uber das wasserkraftwerk Agua Zarca

NGO document
2014-05-07 00:00:00 | Magdalena Heuwieser
2014-04-01 00:00:00

Letter from Lenca communities to FMO on Agua Zarca

Correspondence
2014-04-01 00:00:00 | Lenca communities
2014-02-04 00:00:00

Letter from FMO to BankTrack on agua zarca (3rd letter response)

Correspondence
2014-02-04 00:00:00 | FMO
2014-01-16 00:00:00

IFC CAO report on CAMIF

Other document
2014-01-16 00:00:00 | IFC CAO
2014-01-16 00:00:00

Letter from IFC CAO to Copinh on CAMIF DESA (non) involvement

Correspondence
2014-01-16 00:00:00 | IFC CAO
2013-12-23 00:00:00

Letter from NGOs to World bank on Dinant, Agua Zarca

Correspondence
2013-12-23 00:00:00 | NGOs
2013-12-20 00:00:00

Letter from BankTrack to FMO on Aqua Zarca (3rd letter)

Correspondence
2013-12-20 00:00:00 | BankTrack
2013-11-18 00:00:00

Letter from COPINH to FMO on Agua Zarca (2nd letter)

Correspondence
2013-11-18 00:00:00 | COPINH
2013-11-15 00:00:00

Letter from FMO to Copinh on Agua Zarca

Correspondence
2013-11-15 00:00:00 | FMO
2013-10-29 00:00:00

Letter from FMO to BankTrack on Agua Zarca dam

Correspondence
2013-10-29 00:00:00 | FMO
2013-10-11 00:00:00

Letter from COPINH to FMO on Agua Zarca dam

Correspondence
2013-10-11 00:00:00 | COPINH
2013-10-07 00:00:00

Letter from BankTrack et al to FMO on Agua Zarca dam (2nd letter)

Correspondence
2013-10-07 00:00:00 | BankTrack et al
2013-09-25 00:00:00

Letter from BankTrack to FMO on Agua Zarca dam

Correspondence
2013-09-25 00:00:00 | BankTrack
2013-09-20 00:00:00

The Agua Zarca Dam and Lenca Communities in Honduras

Transnational Investment Leads to Violence against and Criminalization of Indigenous Communities
NGO document
2013-09-20 00:00:00 | Rightsaction

Demonstration at FMO Headquarters The Hague

2016-04-22

Agua Zarca April celebration of year of resistance - against FMO loan

2014-04-15

Agua Zarca - Images

2013-09-02

The Mother of all Rivers - Honouring Berta Cáceres, murdered for resisting the FMO financed Agua Zarca dam

Berta Cáceres struggle to save the Rio Blanco river from the Agua Zarca dam
2016-03-04 00:51:17

Testimony of lenca community members intimidated by police

2013-11-18 13:22:19

Firmas Falsas Rio Blanco

documenting use of falsified signatures to suggest consent of Lenca community with the agua zarca project
2013-11-08 16:04:13

El Roble parte 2

Documentary about resistance against Agua Zarca (in Spanish)
2013-09-02 15:41:18

El Roble parte 1

Documentary about resistance against Agua Zarca (in Spanish)
2013-09-02 15:39:42

Stories of Honduras

Hear from SOA Watch activantes in Honduras as they talk to people on the ground, and help bring to light the reality of the political and social turmoil in the post-coup nation that has come to be known as the "most violent in the world".

COPINH Homepage

Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras - Website

COPINH Blog

Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras - Blog

They fear us because we are fearless

interview with Berta Caceres of Copinh

Defending indigenous rights in Honduras; the case of rio Blanco

We do not negotiate life - The Defense of Indigenous Lands and Waters in Honduras - a photo essay

Honduras delegation

DESA project website

FMO page on Agua Zarca

Stop the Agua Zarca project

Images of Bertha

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

Page on Agua Zarca
Updates

2022

2022-06-28 00:00:00 | Daughter of murdered Honduran human rights activist files criminal complaint against Dutch Development Bank FMO

Bertha Zúniga Cáceres today filed a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office, against the Dutch development bank FMO. The daughter of the Goldman Environmental Prize Winner Berta Cáceres Flores, who was murdered in March 2016, requests the Public Prosecutor to launch a criminal investigation into the complicity of FMO and its executives in violence, corruption, misappropriation of funds and money laundering in the context of the development of the Agua Zarca dam in Honduras (Global Justice Association).

2018

2018-05-18 00:00:00 | COPINH announces court case against FMO

COPINH today announced a court case against FMO, accusing it of negligence that has led to the murder on Berta Cáceres. The response of FMO can be found here.

2017

2017-07-14 00:00:00 | Organisation of American States opened lines of investigation into Agua Zarca

The Organization of American States' (OAS) Mission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) announced on July 14 that it has opened lines of investigation into the Agua Zarca Project and DESA. It announced it is specifically investigating abuse of authority, fraud, and possible money laundering. The Honduran newspaper La Prensa reported on the MACCIH's announcement:  

These are several points MACCIH made in their press conference:

  • DESA was created May 2009 and by November the company was participating in the energy bidding process for Agua Zarca, and by January it had signed a contract with the SERNA.  When DESA was created it had an initial capital of only 25,000 Lempiras and subsequently increased its capital to 381 million Lempiras.  The MACCIH spokesperson says this growth is surprising and needs to be verified.
  • The Honduran Congress approved the contract for the sale of energy from the Agua Zarca Project on September 9, 2010, before the environmental license was even given.
  • The Environmental License was given for 14.458 MW, but then it was amplified to 21.7 MW, which according to the MACCIH was not approved by the Honduran Congress despite the fact the increase required a commitment to purchase additional energy.
  • SERNA Vice-Minister Dario Cardona is being prosecuted for authorizing the amplified environmental license with free, prior, and informed consultation of the Lenca people, but according to the MACCIH spokesperson, the then Minister of SERNA Rigoberto Cuellar and the Secretary General Rafael Antonio Canales are the ones who signed the license.  The MACCIH spokesperson asks why former Minister Rigoberto Cuellar has not been charged.  He is the current Assistant Attorney General (rough translation of Fiscal Adjunto) of the Public Ministry, the institution that prosecutes the cases.

2017-07-12 00:00:00 | Agua Zarca dam construction finally suspended

Construction of the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project on the Gualcarque river has been finally suspended, reports Prensa Latina. This follows the completion of FMO and Finnfund withdrawing their finance for the project. Copinh asks that FMO and Finnfund accept their responsibility for the killings and human rights violations that were triggered by the Agua Zarca project.

2017-07-06 00:00:00 | FMO and Finnfund finalize Exit Agua Zarca

Two of the lenders of the Agua Zarca hydropower project in Honduras, FMO (Netherlands Development Finance Institution), Finnfund (Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation), together with owner and developer DESA, mutually agreed to end their existing contractual relations (source FMO).

2016

2016-05-09 00:00:00 | FinnFund announces end to involvement in Agua Zarca

FinnFund has announced its intentions to end its involvement in the Agua Zarca project (source FinnFund).

2016-05-09 00:00:00 | FMO announces end to involvement in Agua Zarca project

FMO has announced its intention to end its involvement in the Agua Zarca project (source FMO).

2016-05-06 00:00:00 | DESA linked to murder Berta

Honduras authorities captured four men for the March murder of activist Berta Cáceres, two of which have direct ties to the hydroelectric company she and others have been battling in western Honduras, and indicated there may have been a larger conspiracy at play. On May 2, Honduran police arrested four people in connection with the murder of Cáceres, an environmental and indigenous rights activist who spent a decade fighting to block construction of dams along the Gualcarque River in La Esperanza, Honduras, about a 100 kilometers from the capital, Tegucigalpa (source Insightcrime.org).

2016-05-04 00:00:00 | DESA comments on arrests related to murder Berta Caceres

Statement from DESA on the arrest related to the murder of Berta Caceres.

2016-05-02 00:00:00 | Arrests made over killings Berta Caceres

On 2nd May 2016, the Honduran police arrested four people as part of the investigiation into the murder of Berta Cáceres. One of them is DESA's manager for social and environmental affairs.

2016-04-20 00:00:00 | European tour of COPINH delegation starts

2016-03-16 00:00:00 | European funders suspend funding for Agua Zarca project

Following the murder of Nelson García FMO and subsequently Finnfund suspend their financing for the Agua Zarca project, The Huffington Post reported.

2016-03-03 00:00:00 | Berta Caceres, leader of COPINH, murdered

Thursday March 3th, Berta Cáceres was assassinated by gunmen, who shot her four times inside her home in La Esperanza, Honduras. Gustavo Castro Soto, a Mexican human rights activist, was also wounded in the attack, and he is now a protected witness. 

Berta Cáceres was the coordinator and co-founder (in 1993) of the indigenous organisation Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (COPINH), a human rights defender, and leader of the Lenca Indigenous community. She has been repeatedly threatened with her life for her opposition against the Agua Zarca Dam, complaining of death threats from the police, the army and landowners's groups. Last year, the Inter-American Human Rights Commission had ordered protective measures for Berta Cáceres, but she was not under protection this Thursday. In 2015, Berta Cáceres accepted the Goldman Environmental Prize for her role in fighting the Agua Zarca dam and her work to defend the Gualcarque River. She fought against the dam by filling legal complaints, organising community meetings, and bringing the case to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission.

2016-02-20 00:00:00 | March against the dam in the region of Santa Barbara, fierce repression of police, military and private guards

More than a hundred people were on their way to San Francisco de Ojuera, to march to the construction site from the side on Santa Barbara. Before arriving in San Fransisco, the busses were stopped, people were hauled away from the busses, intimidated and threatened. Arriving in San Fransisco took five hours of walking.

2014

2014-04-06 00:00:00 | Rising violence in Río Blanco

Another attack on April 6th led to two dead and many heavily injured persons in Río Blanco. According to the indigenous organization COPINH, five people who are known as dam supporters - one of them a known hitman in the region - attacked two members of COPINH who were on their way to the field work. In the following struggle, those two and others were heavily injured, two of the attackers died. COPINH decidedly repudiate the media campaign which aims to criminalize COPINH and describe the situation as if COPINH members had attacked two peaceful dam workers. Ever since opposition against the Agua Zarca started, the indigenous protest has been criminalized and repressed. as a result, communities have been divided and violence has increased dramatically.

2014-04-01 00:00:00 | Celebrating one year of resistance

On April 1st, members of the indigenous council of Río Blanco, who are part of the bigger indigenous organization COPINH, celebrate their first anniversary of resistance against Agua Zarca. A year ago, the communities had started a road block to hinder the machines from accessing to the construction site. In the event, they also remembered their comrades who have died and who have goten heavily injured as consequence of their peacful opposition. The occasion was also used to formulate a letter in which they demanded that the dutch bank FMO should quit financing the project.    

2014-03-05 00:00:00 | Murder attempt on Dam opponent

On March 5th, María Santos Domínguez, a leader in the local indigenous council of Río Blanco and member of the indigenous organization COPINH, one of the most visible opponents of Agua Zarca, was attacked on her way home by seven men who were armed with machetes. Her husband and 12-year-old son, who came to her rescue, were attacked as well, leaving all three of them heavily injured. One of the attackers, Mr. Fausto Domínguez, died as a result from injuries resulting from the attack. Violence has dramatically risen since the imposition of the hydroelectric dam.    

2014-02-07 00:00:00 | FMO confirms support for Agua Zarca

Dutch development bank FMO has confirmed in a letter to BankTrack that it will support the construction of the Agua Zarca dam, this despite the widespread local and international opposition agaisnt this project.

2014-01-08 00:00:00 | IFC CAO confirms CAMIF no longer investing in DESA

The IFC has confirmed it is no longer investing DESA as they conclude it does not comply with their mandate (see their report here).

2013

2013-11-23 00:00:00 | Synohydro confirms termination contract with DESA

Synohydro has confirmed that it has terminated its contract with DESA, citing ongoing dispute with local communities.

2013-09-20 00:00:00 | COPINH leaders convicted

In the court audience the 20th of September, the coordinator of COPINH Berta Cáceres was convicted with a preventive detention and the other two indigenous leaders Aureliano Molina and Tomas Membreno were dictaded substitute measures (not returning to the Río Blanco region where the dam is being built, reporting every second week to the police station and remaining under custody of the lawyer). Also, the judge ordered eviction of the road block which the indigenous people of Río Blanco had been maintaining since the 1st of April. The results of the court audience are exactly what the company DESA and the Attorney General had asked for, falsely accusing the three indigenous leaders of usurpation, co-actions and continuous damage in prejudice of DESA. While this means a hard stroke for the indigenous movement, COPINH and the local population remain determined in their struggle against the hidroelectric project. Also, national and international solidarity is raising.

2013-09-17 00:00:00 | Court case against Copinh leaders pending

There are no results yet of the hearing against the members of COPINH Tomás Gomez, Berta Cáceres, and Aureliano Molina which took place the 12th and 13th of September.The judge will render her verdict after the third hearing, which will be held Friday, September 20th. There are four total charges against the three, not all of which are being heard at this time.The government is requesting that the three be imprisoned. Meanwhile, the police presence in the north of the department of Intibucá, including the village of Rio Blanco, has increased. So have government threats and harassment of those resisting invasion of their lands. Another COPINH member was arrested last week on charges of being a danger to the well-being of the nation.

2013-09-12 00:00:00 | Start of trial against three leaders of COPINH

First day of court cases against three leaders of Copinh, charged with inflicting damage on property of DESA and disturbing public order.

2013-09-05 00:00:00 | Fake agreement between company, government and make believe indigenous representatives

In the beginning of September, in the forefront of the trial against three COPINH-members, DESA signed an agreement with indigenous representatives of Río Blanco, monitored by the Honduran president Porfirio Lobo. COPINH points out that this is just another insidious strategy, since the ones who signed this mutual consent are selfproclaimed leaders which don´t actually represent the local population, which has expressed their categorical rejection of the project numerous times

2013-09-02 00:00:00 | Court audience against COPINH members

On 12th and 13th August 2013, the court audience against the three COPINH leaders Berta Cáceres and the other COPINH members Tomás Gomez and Aureliano Molina took place. They are falsely accused by DESA of usurpation, co-actions and continuous damage in prejudice of DESA, as well as of being the intellectual assassins of a community member. This all is part of a campaign of criminalization of the protest which could lead to the politically motivated imprisonment. Since the hearing in August, the accused must report every week to the court, and are not able to enter the area of the incidents (i.e. the dam protest site). The next and final hearing is scheduled for the 12th and 13th of September. See report here.  

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