On Wednesday, five members of the National Front of Popular Resistance (FNRP) appeared before the court to file an unconstitutionality appeal in response to a legislative decree to create “model cities” considered illegal and contrary to the Honduran sovereignty.

The Front has claimed that the approval of the model cities represents “the worst Project in terms of renouncing to national sovereignty and the richness of the Honduran people”, so they collected signatures to strike them down.

These model cities were planned and promoted by US economist Paul Romer. They are “Special Development Areas”, i.e. national territories with a high degree of autonomy that are offered to private investors, especially transnational corporations for indefinite time.

These “model cities” as they are known in Honduras will enjoy a special territorial regime. They will have their own jurisdiction, their own legal personality, their own system of administration, migration rules and its own laws.

They will also have their own budget and right to collect and administer taxes, to fix the fees for their services, to sign any contracts and contract debts.

The argument for its approval is the purported creation of jobs it would bring about.
The construction of these model cities has experienced a significant push after the coup that ousted Manuel Zelaya in 2009.

A sector of the FNRP is proposing its repeal.
For this reason, on Wednesday, delegates of social movements of Honduras (Melisa Cardoza, Sara Tome, Lorena Zelaya, Sandra Maribel Sánchez, Gilda Rivera, Divina Alvarenga, Carlos H. Reyes and Jari Dixon) were arrested when they tried to file an appeal.

The activists were released a few hours later. However, Sandra Maribel Sanchez told Real World Radio that there is a permanent threat against social activists in Honduras.

She especially criticized the role played by the Supreme Court of Justice where peasants were illegally detained for reclaiming their rights.

Sandra said that the presence of delegates to file for the unconstitutionality of the model cities was covered by several independent media who were present at the moment.

Other Honduran leaders went to the building immediately to demand the release of the activists illegally arrested.

Sandra also said that the FNRP has a critical view on the elections because they believe they are overlooking social mobilization.

“We need to remember that we may have a party but the social victories are defended in the streets”, said Sandra.

She added that since the coup in Honduras they’ve had to strengthen the security measures. However, there are arrests, murders, disappearance of social leaders.