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[Translation of an article from Revistazo of Tegucigalpa for February 28. See original here.]

By Germán Reyes

Non participation in the electoral process until there are acceptable conditions for doing so and a declaration that the Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular (FNRP – National Front for Popular Resistance) is a broad movement for political struggle seeking the transformation of the social structures are some of the agreements reached in the First National Assembly of this social movement, held last weekend in Tegucigalpa.

The Assembly, named after the “Martyred Campesinos of Aguán,” began Saturday morning at the Vicente Cáceres College with the issuing of credentials for 1500 delegates and proprietary delegates, plus representatives of the 298 minicipalities and Department 19, which represents migrant Hondurans living overseas, and also included the presence of international observers from several countries in America and Europe.

With a few mishaps that resulted in its beginning at midday, the Assembly provided opportunites for speeches and activities by different leaders gathered at the event. Reports were given by eight representatives from several regions of the country, including members of indigenous and black communities, as they exlained their vision of the crisis the country is living through.

Why not participate in elections?

The question of forming itself as a party and participating in political elections was without doubt one of the themes that generated the most discussion and interest among those present. It was the question that kept the members of the Resistance divided on a national level. Nevertheless, the Assembly blocked the intention of the executive committee, which favored the formation of an electoral broad front as an external political arm of the FNRP.

Labor leader Carlos H. Reyes said that the FNRP Assembly reached a decision not to participate in the electoral process until a national constituent assembly is called and the law on elections and political organizations is reformed to permit social and political organizations to participate under conditions of equality.

Another agreement reached, according to the popular leader, is “the dismantling of the repressive apparatus and the return of all political exiles, including former President Manuel Zelaya.”

He criticized the fact that rightist groups in the country have proclaimed the FNRP Assembly a failure. On the contrary, the results show that after the event the social movement is stronger and includes more diversity of viewpoints, but with a common objective.

The sub-coordinator of the organization, Juan Barahona, declared his satisfaction with the decision reached unanimously by the Assembly to keep Zelaya as head of the Resistance.

Barahona agreed with the assembly’s demand for the unconditional presence in Honduras of Manuel Zelaya and other exiles as a condition for participating in elections, a change in the judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and reform of the law on elections and political organizations.

“These are the minimum changes and until they are made the Resistance will not participate in any electoral process,” Barahona declared.

The sub-coordinator of the Frente delivered a message of confidence in the struggle and urged the people to join it. He also offered faithfulness to the principles and the objectives of the organization. “We prefer anything above treason or abandonement of this struggle, which embraces the example and the blood of comrades who have already given their lives in defense of the ideals of the people,” he said…

Tags: elections, First National Assembly, Frente Nacional de Resistencia Popular, Honduras, Juan Barahona

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 at 7:34 am and is filed under Honduras. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.