Interim Report - Report No 82, 1965

Case No 381 (Honduras) - Complaint date: 18-MAR-64 - Closed

1. 76. The complaint of the Latin American Confederation of Christian Trade Unionists is contained in a communication dated 18 March 1964. It was transmitted to the Government, which forwarded its observations on 20 May 1964.
2. 77. Honduras has ratified both the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98).

A. A. The complainants' allegations

1. 78. In their communication the complainants beg the I.L.O to intervene with the Government with a view to its explaining the murder of the Christian trade union leader Humberto Portillo.
2. 79. In its reply of 20 May 1964 the Government states that there exists in the country an organisation of young communists whose mission is to commit acts of terrorism and sabotage. This organisation, known as the Integrated Liberation Movement, has engaged in propaganda through the distribution of leaflets, and followed this up with acts of violence such as bomb explosions and armed attacks. In its desire to upset the trade unions and the workers the organisation went on to attack individuals. This last spell of violence culminated in three deaths: two officials murdered on the north coast banana plantations and a trade union leader (Humberto Portillo) shot dead in the streets of Tegucigalpa. The latter event occurred early in December 1963. Mr. Portillo was walking along one of the city streets when shots were fired at him from a car which immediately vanished. It has not been possible up to now to identify its occupants. The National Investigation Corps is still investigating this crime; several clues have been discovered which it is hoped will lead to the clearing up of the mystery.

B. B. The Committee's conclusions

1. 80. At its meeting in November 1964 the Committee took cognizance of this case and decided to postpone examination of it until its next meeting, when it was hoped that fresh information would have been received from the Government as to the results of the inquiries being made. Up to now no such information has been forthcoming, despite the fact that the crime was committed in December 1963 and that according to the Government's own statement several clues were being followed up which it was hoped would lead to the clearing up of the mystery.

The Committee's recommendations

1. 81. In these circumstances the Committee recommends the Governing Body to request the Government to be good enough to furnish all the information it has available concerning the results of the inquiries into the alleged murder of Mr. Humberto Portillo, and to keep it fully informed of any fresh light which may be thrown on the case.
   • Geneva, 23 February 1965. (Signed) Roberto AGO, Chairman.