Banana Repugnant: Can a military dictatorship hold ‘free’ elections in Honduras?

[Judi Lynn]

November 26, 2009
Banana Repugnant
Can a military dictatorship hold ‘free’ elections in Honduras?
By Jeremy Kryt

Elections in Honduras are set for Sunday, Nov. 29, but the ongoing human rights crisis—sparked by the military-backed coup last June—has both locals and international experts wondering if a free, transparent ballot vote is even possible.

“We are living under a military dictatorship,” said presidential candidate Carlos H. Reyes, in an exclusive interview with In These Times. “There is no historical precedent for successful elections under a government like this,” said Reyes, who was third in the polls and the anti-coup movement’s preferred candidate until he pulled out of the race last week. “In a system like this one, there are no constitutional guarantees. Everything is up to the whims of the dictator. Given the situation, I had no choice but to step down.”

And Reyes isn’t alone. Dozens of other candidates have dropped out of the race, and human rights groups have warned that the Honduran military may use the elections as an excuse to unleash violence on the general public in order to maintain their grip on power.

“As elections near, we expect the violence to increase,” said Andres Pavon, president of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH). “That is the only way this government can enforce its authority.” Last week, Pavon issued a press release saying CODEH had received a tip that the military was planning to dress soldiers up in civilian clothes on election day, and initiate a massacre of unsuspecting congressmen. Their intention, said Pavon, was to “discredit the resistance,” as well as to provide an excuse for canceling elections.

“The plot was revealed to us by a high-level contact within the Honduran armed forces,” said Pavon, although he would not name his source. “Many top generals are afraid of being blamed for the coup, once a civilian government is elected. That’s why they want to stop the vote. Even if they must kill to do so.”

More:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/5245/banana_repugnant/