Walter Tróchez Explained

Walter Orlando Tróchez (1982-13 December 2009) was a Honduran political activist and LGBT rights leader who was murdered in Tegucigalpa.^[1]

Another visible LGBT Honduran activist and Zelayista, Erick Martínez Ávila, was murdered on 7 May 2012 in the outskirts of Tegucigalpa.

Impunity

A Honduran rights group said Walter Tróchez was briefly kidnapped 4 December 2009 by four masked men who beat him before he managed to escape. He filed a complaint to national and international authorities.^{[2] [3]}

The assailants threatened to kill Tróchez because of his participation in the anti-coup movement, the International Observatory on the Human Rights Situation said. He was also a gay rights activist.^{[4] [5]}

Death

On 13 December 2009, Walter Tróchez was shot as he walked in downtown Tegucigalpa. Friends rushed him to a hospital, where he died.^[6]

Reactions

In a statement, the National Resistance Front said, "Tróchez was an active militant in the resistance and an example of the fight against the dictatorship."

Amnesty International reacted to the news of Walter Tróchez's death by demanding urgent and independent inquiry into the matter.^{[7] [8]}

On January 26 and 27 2010, several vigils and demos were organised in Berlin, San Francisco, Los Angeles, in solidarity with Gay Hondurans and for democracy.^{[9] [10] [11]}

See also

• 2009 Honduran coup d'état

Notes and References

1. News: Doug . Ireland . Quotha (republished from Gay City News) . Honduran Regime Martyrs LGBT Leader . 2009-12-23. 2012-12-09.
2. News: Joseph . Shansky . Killing activists in Honduras . 21st Century Socialism . 2009-12-24 . 2012-12-09.
3. News: Associated Press . Rights activist who protested Honduras coup killed . The Guardian (UK) . 2009-12-15 . 2012-12-09 .
4. News: Tim . Johnson . Honduras is test of new U.S. policy on gay rights . Miami Herald . 2012-01-12 . 2012-12-09.
5. News: Pink News (UK) . Gay activist killed in Honduras . Jessica . Green . 2009-12-17 . 2012-12-09.
6. Web site: Young Honduran LGBT Activist Murdered in Wave of Violence and Impunity. Anonymous. 2009-12-17. Global LGBT Human Rights. en. 2019-11-08.
7. Web site: Amnesty International . Honduras must launch full investigation into death of human rights campaigner . 2009-12-15 . 2012-12-09.
8. Web site: Human Rights Watch . Honduras: Investigate Murders of LGBT People . 2009-12-16 . 2012-12-09.
9. Web site: Gays Without Borders . Walter Tróchez Queer Alliance: Demo in Berlin – 26 January 2010 – Rally & Vigil – San Francisco – Washington – Los Angeles . 2010-01-25 . 2012-12-09.
10. Web site: Gays Without Borders . Honduras – Walter Tróchez Queer Alliance: Demo in Berlin . 2010-01-26 . 2012-12-09.
11. Web site: Gays Without Borders . Walter Tróchez: San Francisco Vigil for Honduran Gays and Democracy . 2010-01-28 . 2012-12-09.