COPINH was founded in 1993 to defend indigenous Lenca culture, territorial rights and natural resources. Through COPINH, Lenca communities have stopped logging corporations’ destruction of their homes, and have organized in a way that challenges patriarchy and builds women’s leadership. COPINH plays a key role in building a broader movement in Honduras and beyond, alongside other Grassroots partners like La Via Campesina and the Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH).
In recent years, COPINH has endured tremendous repression, including death threats and assassinations of COPINH leaders (including co-founder Berta Cáceres), in retaliation for its nonviolent work organizing to defend Lenca territories and Mother Earth against megaprojects such as the Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam. We are humbled by COPINH’s continued courage and honored to deepen our relationship with COPINH by becoming partners.
The Garifuna and our partner OFRANEH in Honduras have been facing down armed assaults this month. It's a concrete example of the violence that is driving people north to the U.S.-Mexico border.
August 9th is the United Nations’ International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Grassroots International supports Indigenous social movements around the world. This blog looks at the threats facing these communities, and the resistance they’re waging.