As reported by Real World Radio on May 24, Caceres was arrested in Santa Barbara department, in the north of Honduras. As a substitute measure instead of imprisonment, she faces a trial, she can’t leave the country and has to report every week at the Santa Barbara court. In addition, her belongings were confiscated.

Berta was detained by the army on her way to the Rio Blanco communities, in Intibuca, who are affected by the increasing violence of the police and military officers and workers of FICHOSA, the company which is currently building the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project.

The project is located in Lenca lands and the communities were not consulted, in violation to Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) that requires binding consultations to the indigenous communities affected by projects in their communities.

“The international pressure was strong these last days and this is very important because their aim is to attack the resistance in Rio Blanco in defense of the Gualcarque River, where the dam would be built”.

She said that it is necessary to stop the criminalization against COPINH, which is increasingly worsened by repression, persecution, evictions and arrests. "Despite this, the communities held an assembly on Sunday 26 and they claimed the struggle will continue despite this criminalization".

Environmentalist federation Friends of the Earth International, together with different social, human rights, women organizations and groups that defend territories have launched a campaign addressed to Honduran political and legal authorities to ensure Berta’s freedom, security for her organization and the full respect of the human rights of Honduras nature defenders.

Thus, they call to participate in an e-action and sent letters to the authorities demanding Berta’s physical safety and full freedom.

Please join the e-action against the criminalization of COPINH and to annul the trial against Berta