were subjected to smear campaigns by both state and non-state actors to discredit their work, and were regularly targeted with intimidation, threats, and attacks. In June, three members of the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) were attacked by armed assailants while they were in a car, returning from a meeting. Local NGOs said that the justice system continued to be misused to harass and discourage human rights defenders. Unnecessary and excessive use of force by security forces during peaceful protests was also reported. The vast majority of attacks registered against human rights defenders remained unpunished, as a result of multiple obstacles hindering investigations and trials. There was little progress in the investigation into the killing in March 2016 of Berta Cáceres, the Indigenous environmental defender and cofounder of COPINH. The public hearings of eight suspects detained in relation to the case were postponed on multiple occasions. Independent experts revealed a lack of due diligence in the investigations, including a lack of prosecution of other individuals potentially involved in the crime. There was no information about any progress made by the Public Prosecutor in identifying those responsible for planning her killing. Although some progress was made to protect human rights defenders through the National Mechanism to Protect Human Rights Defenders, Journalists, Social Commentators and Justice Officials, efforts to ensure their comprehensive protection remained insufficient. New provisions of the Criminal Code on terrorism and related criminal offences approved by Congress in February and September were defined in an overly broad and vague manner, contrary to the principle of legality. The provisions could lead to the arbitrary and inadequate application of the Code against peaceful protesters and human rights defenders, which could further criminalize their work and obstruct social movements. 186 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS Several Indigenous Peoples continued to claim that their rights to consultation and to free, prior and informed consent were violated in the context of projects to explore and exploit natural resources in their territories. Killings, aggressions and cases of misuse of the justice system against those defending Indigenous Peoples were reported. The Draft Framework Law on Free, Prior and Informed Consultation of Indigenous Peoples faced criticism, including of the insufficient participation of Indigenous and Garifuna (Afro-descendant) communities in the process. Reparation measures ordered in 2015 by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in two cases where Honduras had violated the collective land rights of the Garifuna communities had yet to be implemented. LAND DISPUTES Conflicts persisted due to the lack of secure land tenure. High levels of violence were reported in the Aguán Valley where longstanding land disputes remained unresolved. According to the Unified Campesino Movement of the Aguán, precautionary measures granted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to protect the life and integrity of leaders in the Aguán Valley were not adequately implemented. GENDER-RELATED VIOLENCE Women, girls and LGBTI people continued to face high levels of gender-related violence. Between January and October, 236 violent deaths of women were registered by the Centre for Women’s Rights. According to the Lesbian Cattrachas Network, killings of LGBTI people also increased, with a total of 35 people killed. Impunity remained high in these cases, as authorities lacked sufficient capacity and resources to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible. SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS The failure to protect women’s and girls’ rights and guarantee access to safe and legal abortion in any circumstances continued. Amnesty International Report 2017/18