Global Witness - Breaking the links between natural resources, conflict and corruption
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~report on Honduras: “Illegal logging in the Rio Plátano Biosphere. A farce in three acts"
IFM in Honduras
Following various visits to the country, Global Witness and the Honduran National Commission for Human Rights (Comisionado Nacional de Derechos Humanos - CONADEH) signed an agreement to pilot Independent Forest Monitoring in May 2005.
The main objectives of the project were:
- To generate reliable information about illegal logging and its associated trade in Olancho Department, which contains one of the largest areas of conifer forests in the country and is being subjected to intensive logging;
- To ensure the objectivity and transparency of monitoring operations undertaken by the Forest Authority (Administración Forestal del Estado - Corporación Hondureña de Desarrollo Forestal, AFE-COHDEFOR);
- To strengthen the operational capacity of the Forest Authority through undertaking joint field missions and sharing experience and skills.
Between May 2005 and April 2006, Global Witness and CONADEH produced 14 field mission reports, a first summary report of activities and a second summary report. The project has been warmly welcomed by AFE-COHDEFOR, civil society and some elements in the industry, all of which have voiced a need to implement long-term IFM in Honduras.
Joint work between Global Witness and CONADEH also provided the opportunity to build the latter's capacity in monitoring techniques and gradually hand them over the leadership of the project.
In April 2006, CONADEH and AFE-COHDEFOR signed an agreement for a further year of IFM work in the country, which included a substantial increase in human resources and area covered by the project. Mission reports continue to be produced regularly and are publicly available on CONADEH's website.
Both CONADEH and AFE-COHDEFOR have expressed a strong interest to continue to have Global Witness' support in the implementation of the project.
Latest Publications
September 2010
Global Witness stands by findings on Sudanese oil data
Global Witness today refuted claims that it had apologized for the findings of its September 2009 report, Fuelling Mistrust, on the lack of transparency in Sudan's oil sector. The organisation said that although very important commitments on improving transparency were made recently by the Government of National Unity (GoNU), the full disclosure of oil revenue data and the results of an independent audit remain necessary to prove the concerns were unfounded.
August 2010
Global Witness welcomes Norwegian government disinvestment from predatory loggers Samling
Global Witness welcomes the Norwegian Government Pension Fund's decision to disinvest from the notorious Malaysian timber giant Samling. Global Witness has previously exposed illegal logging by Samling in Cambodia as well as evidence of legal breaches by two Samling-associated companies in Liberia.
Global Witness welcomes new commitment to transparency in Sudan
Global Witness has participated in a landmark seminar on oil revenue transparency in Khartoum, organised by the Sudanese government and attended by foreign oil companies. We welcome the commitment to increase transparency, including an audit of the oil sector and publication of key production and revenue figures.
Global Witness applauds RBS penalty over terrorist financing
Global Witness welcomes the decisive action taken by the UK financial regulator, the FSA, which has fined the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) £5.6 million for failing to check whether its customers were on the UK terrorist sanctions list.
Campbell testimony shines light on blood diamonds and the importance of international justice
Global Witness is attending the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor in The Hague as supermodel Naomi Campbell is called to testify. The event offers a useful reminder of the role of natural resources in funding conflict, and of the importance of pursuing justice for the victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
