Mourning the Death of Berta Cáceres, a Human Rights Hero

Yesterday, we received the tragic news that Berta Cáceres, a champion of human and environmental rights in Honduras and longtime AJWS grantee, was murdered in her home.

We are devastated by her loss. Berta was a hero to all of us at AJWS. She was a globally recognized human rights leader who gave a voice to the indigenous people of Honduras, as she bravely fought for their land and water rights.

Berta Cáceres won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2015 for her leadership in opposing one of Central America’s biggest hydropower projects, a multi-million-dollar dam, which would have devastated the surrounding areas that were home to indigenous communities. Berta was the co-founder of the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (COPINH), an organization dedicated to addressing threats to the collective rights of the indigenous Lenca communities in Honduras and to protecting their land from the negative effects of illegal logging and destructive mining and dam projects. To this day, COPINH fights for the Lenca communities’ rights and for meaningful economic opportunities for the members of this community.

Over the years, Berta persevered in her advocacy in the face of multiple threats to her life over the years as she decried the injustice and corruption in her country. Her work will be kept alive by the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (COPINH), which she co-founded, and by those continuing to fight for the human rights of others in the face of great danger.

Berta Caceres stands with her mother Doña Berta in their home in La Esperanza, Intibucá, Honduras. Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize

Berta Caceres at the Gualcarque River in the Rio Blanco region of western Honduras where she, COPINH (the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras) and the people of Rio Blanco maintained a two year struggle to halt construction on the Agua Zarca Hydroelectric project, that poses grave threats to local environment, river and indigenous Lenca people from the region. Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize

Berta Caceres stands at the COPINH (the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras) offices in La Esperanza, Intibucá, Honduras where she, COPINH have organized a two year campaign to halt construction on the Agua Zarca Hydroelectric project, that poses grave threats to Rio Blanco regional environment, river and indigenous Lenca people. Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize

In 2006, community members from Rio Blanco understood that an aggression against the Gualcarque River—a place of spiritual importance to the Lenca people—was an act against the community, its free will, and its autonomy. Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize

Berta Caceres in the Rio Blanco region of western Honduras where she, COPINH (the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras) and the people of Rio Blanco have maintained a two year struggle to halt construction on the Agua Zarca Hydroelectric project, that poses grave threats to local environment, river and indigenous Lenca people from the region. She gathered with members of COPINH and Rio Blanco during a meeting remembering community members killed during the two year struggle. In 2006, community members from Rio Blanco understood that an aggression against the Gualcarque River—a place of spiritual importance to the Lenca people—was an act against the community, its free will, and its autonomy. Photo: Goldman Environmental Prize

Our president Ruth Messinger commented:

“I am profoundly saddened by the brutal murder of Berta Cáceres, and I am proud to have supported her brave advocacy for human rights in Honduras. Berta was a truly inspirational leader, and I know with great certainty that activists throughout Latin America have been guided and motivated by Berta’s leadership and her contributions to defending human and environmental rights.”

Robert Bank, our incoming president, remarked:

“In Jewish tradition, we say that ‘to save a life is to save a world,’ and Berta, through her brave advocacy for the rights of people in Honduras, has saved the world many times over. We grieve her death and redouble our commitment to supporting people, like Berta, who take it upon themselves to defend the human rights of others, even in the face of threats, violence and murder.”

Read AJWS’s full statement on Berta’s murder.

Berta’s daughter, son and mother released a statement after death. Read the full statement from Berta’s family here.

We grieve Berta’s death, but we will not remain silent in the face of this brutal injustice. Join us and urge Secretary Kerry to demand justice for Berta, the people of Honduras, and human rights activists around the world.

Additionally, AJWS’s partners have released a petition calling for the immediate protection of Gustavo Castro, who was injured during Berta’s assassination, and who is a member of AJWS Mexico grantee Otros Mundos.

Watch the video below to learn more about Berta’s courageous work.