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Thirty-six children's rights organisations in Honduras have made a statement calling for stronger protection for children's rights, following a military coup in the country in June which has led to a period of political turmoil. The organisations report that an executive order restricting fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, association, liberty and movement has led to repression by police and the armed forces. This has been particularly evident in poor districts, where illegal detentions, deprivation of liberty and torture have been reportedly been carried out during curfews. Children are also said to be experiencing health problems where tear gas has been deployed. Below is a summary of the statement in English: 1: The State of Honduras is a signatory to international instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 2. the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), which includes the principle of the best interests of the child, the right to survival and development, non-discrimination, to life and to be heard; 3. the Children and Adolescents' Code (1994-1996/ decree #73-96, 5 September 1996); 4. The International Declaration against Torture and other forms of cruel and inhumane treatment; 5. and has recognised the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child as the supervisory body which monitors State compliance with obligations accepted under the CRC. 2. At national level, public, private, civil and military organisations are obligated to comply with laws pertaining to children's rights, recognising the principles and guarantees enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic (articles 119 and 126) the Family Code, paying particular attention to children at-risk. 3: The institutions responsible for guaranteeing human rights, particularly those of children and young people in the country, including officers of the judiciary, including judges, prosecutors, advocates, those involved in the juvenile justice system, educators, the Children's Ombudsperson, and private institutions, have a duty, together with parents and guardians, to guarantee children's rights and establish alliances and plans which ensure these. 4. Given recent incidents, and the heightened potential for child rights violations, an Institutional Network for Defence and Protection has been formed to intevene to protect and report abuses at national and international level. 5. Given the aforementioned, the under-signed organisations demand that the current authorities of the State of Honduras, particularly the armed forces and national police force, respect the legal domestic norms, as well as international treaties, protocols and conventions, to which the State of Honduras is a party, which oblige them to respect, protect and promote children's rights. Tegucigalpa city, 28 September 2009. Member organisations: Aldeas Infantiles (S.O.S.), APANJE, Asociación Nuevo Amanecer, Asociación Brigadas de Amor Cristiano (Hogar Renacer), Asociación Compartir, Asociación Hondureña de Apoyo al Autista (APOAUTIS), Asociación Juventud Renovada (Hogar Diamante), Asociación Libre Expresión, Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa. (ASJ), Asocian Cristiana de Jóvenes (A.C.J.), Casa Alianza de Honduras, Casa del Niño, Casa Domingo, Centro de Formación, Capacitación y Gestión Social (CENFODES), Centro San Juan Bosco, COMUPADE, Fundación Abrigo, Fundación Desarrollo, Amistad y Respuesta (FUNDAR), Fundación Hondureña de Rehabilitación e Integración del Limitado (FUHRIL), Fundición AMBOS, GOAL, Hogar San Jerónimo Emiliano, Instituto Psicopedagógico “Juana Leclerc”, Médicos sin Fronteras, Muchachas Guías de Honduras, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, Olimpiadas Especiales, ONG-GAVITOA, PREPACE, Prevención de Discapacidades (Pre-Natal Honduras), Proyecto Alternativas y Oportunidades, Proyecto Victoria, REPAHDEG, Save The Children Honduras, Unidos para Mejorar, Visión Mundial Honduras. Further information