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OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTS INSULZA TO WORK TOWARDS RESTORING DEMOCRACY IN HONDURAS WITHIN 72 HOURS

The 37th Special Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted Wednesday by acclamation a resolution to instruct the Secretary General of the organization, along with representatives from several countries, to undertake “diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law and the reinstatement of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, pursuant to Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.”

The document also says that the Secretary General, Jose Miguel Insulza, must “report to the Special General Assembly on the results of the initiatives. Should these prove unsuccessful within 72 hours, the Special General Assembly shall forthwith invoke Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter to suspend Honduras’ membership.”

The resolution vigorously condemns the coup d’état perpetrated last June 28 against President Zelaya and orders the immediate restoration of his constitutional duties.

The text also declares “no government arising from this unconstitutional interruption will be recognized” and affirms that “the representatives designated by the constitutional and legitimate government of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales are the representatives of the Honduran State to the Organization of American States.”

In their initial considerations, the document reiterates “the principles and purposes established in the Charter of the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Democratic Charter on the strengthening and preservation of the democratic institutional system in member states, as well as the importance of strict adherence to and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the principle of nonintervention in the internal affairs of other states.”

Following the text approval, the constitutional president of Honduras, José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, addressed the Heads of Delegation to express his gratitude for the support given to the Honduran democracy. He emphasized “the courage of the resolution adopted by the Ministers and Ambassadors to the OAS. It has an immeasurable strength for the history of our democracies.”

After explaining the events that led to him being overthrown and imprisoned, the President stressed that everything occurred without him ever being judged or sentenced. He also stated that “the re-emerging of the military institution is a disgrace for America. The step backwards experienced in Honduras is a step backwards for the Americas.”

The OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, said that the OAS adopted a resolution that “in the next days can lead us to the suspension of this beloved country as a member of the Inter-American System. However, it will not be Honduras that we will be suspending, but the usurpers of a democratic government, who have embarrassed the public service that they swore to take on with honor, and who have neglected to the people the chance of enjoying democracy and freedom.”

Addressing the Honduran president, Insulza said to be sure “that this will not last long, it will be a battle towards which we will bring strength and enthusiasm, and we will be very close to you, whom we recognize today as the only constitutional President of Honduras.”

The President of the General Assembly and Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Taiana, recounted that the Member States of the OAS “cannot ignore this attempt of return to the past happening in the hemisphere. The Honduran democracy is not the only thing in jeopardy here, but also the strengths of the democratic processes in the whole hemisphere.”

Below is the complete text of the resolution adopted by the Special Session of the General Assembly:

RESOLUTION ON THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN HONDURAS

(Adopted at the plenary session, held on July 1, 2009 and
pending to be revised by the Style Committee)


THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

GRAVELY CONCERNED about the political crisis in the Republic of Honduras as a result of the coup d’état against the government of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, which has produced an unconstitutional alteration of the democratic order;

RECALLING Permanent Council resolutions CP/RES. 952 (1699/09) of June 26, 2009 and CP/RES. 953 (1700/09) of June 28, 2009, regarding the situation in Honduras;

CONVENED urgently by the Permanent Council in accordance with Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter;

REITERATING the principles and purposes established in the Charter of the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Democratic Charter on the strengthening and preservation of the democratic institutional system in member states, as well as the importance of strict adherence to and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the principle of nonintervention in the internal affairs of other states; and

TAKING NOTE of the declarations by international organizations, sub-regional groups, and governments of the member states,

RESOLVES:

1. To condemn vehemently the coup d’état staged against the constitutionally established Government of Honduras, and the arbitrary detention and expulsion from the country of the constitutional president José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, which has produced an unconstitutional alteration of the democratic order.

2. To reaffirm that President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales is the constitutional President of Honduras and to demand the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of the President to his constitutional functions.

3. To declare that no government arising from this unconstitutional interruption will be recognized, and to reaffirm that the representatives designated by the constitutional and legitimate government of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales are the representatives of the Honduran State to the Organization of American States.

4. To instruct the Secretary General to undertake, together with representatives of various countries, diplomatic initiatives aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law and the reinstatement of President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales, pursuant to Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and report to the Special General Assembly on the results of the initiatives. Should these prove unsuccessful within 72 hours, the Special General Assembly shall forthwith invoke Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter to suspend Honduras’ membership.

5. To extend this special session of the General Assembly until July 6, 2009.

Reference: E-216/09