Received by ARA Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 10:36 PM ll Honduran PresidentUrges Libre Alliance to Respect Freedom of Press, Join NatiOnal Dialogue This material is distributed by Keybridge Communications behalf of the Repu blic. of Honduras. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice. Washington, DC. PR Newswi re NEWS PROVIDED BY Republic ofHonduras-o Jan 19, 2018, 17:49 at TECUCIGALPA, Honduras. Jan. 19, 2018 /PRNewsWire/ -- Today, President Juan Orlando Hernandez urged the Libre Alliance to respect Hondurans? rights to the freedom of the press and called for an end to the violence its leaders have instigated. Honduran President Urges Libre Alliance to Respect Freedom of Press. Join National Dialogue The Honduran Journalists As'sociation or CPH has "received serious complaints from directors, editors and media reporters who are the target of a campaign of threats and hatred through certain portals of dubious authorships and in social networlg,? according to CPH President Dagoberto Rodriguez. CPH says that it is working to identify the perpetrators of these threats and take legal action against them. "ManUel Zelaya. the Alliance's coordinatOr. did nothing when a broadcast Journallst alr'noSt got at a press conference called by [the Alliance] themseIVes" Rodriguez said "There is no place for Violenceagainst jour?nali'sts?in Honduras. whether online or in the streets," President Hernandez said. 'This cannot continUe.? Members of the business and religiOL'Is communities havealsojoined President Hernandez in calling for peace. Yesterday, Angel Garachana, the: President of the Episcopal Conference Of'Ho?ndu?r?as and Bishop of San Pedro Sula, called on defeated Libre Alliance presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla to accept President He'rnandez's invitation to dialogue. I "To refuse the dialogue between them, would be a lack of seriousness. a lack of a genuine desire to find a way out and think aboUt the good of Honduras.? Garachana said. 'Violence does not benefit anyone and blockades do not favor the development of the nation." - ?3 Received by Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 10:36 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 10: 36 PM The impact of the recent spate of violence" is quite large" Secretary of Economic Development Arnaldo Castillo said Since November the protests in Honduras have cost the tourism industry $100 million. LoOting and vandalism during the protests forced many businesses to close. The loss of sales could amount to 10 b'illic'm lempiras, or about $422 million. according'to Rafael Medinahthe Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tegucigalpa. "we reduest that the Honduran population and property both public and private, be protected as they are part of the rights of all citizens" said Medina . Media Contact: And rew. Grafton _[2021-471-4228 ext. 119 wwkeybridgecomrn?unicationscom SOURCE Republic of Honduras Received by Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 10:36 PM Received by Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 14: 19 PM PR Newswire Honduran President Thanks OAS for . Supporting Honduran Democracy This material is distributed by 'Keybridge Communications LLC on behalf of'the Republic of HOnd u'r?as. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice. Washington, DC. NEWS pnowo?o BY Republic ofHondUras-O 17:24 ET TEGUGIGALPA. Honduras. Jan 23, 2018 Newswire/ -- Today, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez thanked the Organization of American States for its statement in support of Honduras's democraticinstitutions. "Honduras's democracy is thriving." President Hernandez said. "Over the next four yea rs. my administration will continue working with the Organization of American States. the United Nations. and our neighbors to further strengthen democratic institutions in Honduras and across the region." i i Honduran President thanks OAS for supporting Honduran democracy Received by ARA Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 14:19 PM Received by ARA Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 14: 19 PM In a statement yesterday, the Organization of- American States said that it ?expresses its firm intention to work in the future with the elected authorities of Honduras, at theirthr'ee leVels. executive. legislative and municipal. withi the framework Of existing'cooperation agreements. institUtional strengthening and electoral reform that will allow fOr democratic. just and coexistence." President Hernandez also said that his administration is continuing its national dialogue with the "political. social. and economic sectors of the country to establish a climate of security. peace and democratic spirit that allow each Honduran to pursue liberty." The Hern?hdez administration has taken severalst'eps to advance democracy in Honduras and spur economic gidwth: Last Week. President Hernandez appointed Karla Cuevas as the ?rst Secretary of the newly created Ministry of Human Rights. Cuevas Will lead the newly created Ministry for. Hu'l?nar'i Rights. which Will work to protect human rights defenders, joUrnalists. andjustice of?cials in Honduras. Earlier this month, the President also announced th?athe's asking the Honduran National Congress to pass a bill that would proiride more than 8 million lempir'a's -- more than $339 million -- in low-interest business loans for Ho'ndu'rans- Media Contact; Andrew Grafton (202)-471-4228 ext. 119 SOURCE Republic of Honduras Received by Registration Unit 01/23/2018 7: 14:19 PM