Honduran sovereignty saved!
23 October 2012
Last week our partner the Honduran Women’s Collective (CODEMUH), alongside several other organisations, won a historical battle when the Honduran Supreme Court ruled Charter Cities as unconstitutional for removing national territory from government control.
The proposed Charter Cities are similar to the export processing enclaves established in Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Singapore. They foster wealth creation for the privileged elite, whilst worsening inequality and bypassing labour and environmental laws by becoming states-within-states with their own laws, tax rules and police forces.
No to charter cities
Earlier in October, CODEMUH and its members put in no less than 22 appeals of unconstitutionality to the Supreme Court of Honduras and staged a sit in at the headquarters of the judiciary to oppose the proposed constitutional reform allowing the creation of neo-liberal start up cities designed to attract foreign investment. The 22 appeals lodged bring the total to nearly 60 appeals filed by different organisations from across Honduras.
As a women-led grassroots organisation fighting for women workers’ rights in textile factories within export processing zones (EPZ), CODEMUH’s members would be the worst hit by this proposed constitutional amendment. The sweatshop-like conditions they face would only get worse as the proposed amendments would bypass what labour laws there are protecting their rights.
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