Friday 4 March 2011

Honduras: FNRP's first National Assembly

Honduras FNRP stronger after first National Assembly
Source: ResistenciaHonduras.net, 28 February 2011.


During two days the first general assembly of the National Front of Popular Resistance of Honduras was celebrated with representation of more than 1500 delegates from all municipalities and more than 300 organizations.

Felix Molina opened his Sunday Resistance radio program saying "...those who used the usual techniques of intimidation lost because they were victims of their own weapons."

The assembly decided almost unanimously not to participate in the next electoral process, to remain as a broad-base political and social front and to ratify José Manuel Zelaya and Juan Barahona as coordinator and deputy coordinator, respectively. The FNRP has consolidated its identity as a national front in political struggle and as a broad-base front in its diversity, removing any doubt of its conversion to a political party or electoral front.

During an interview, Carlos H. Reyes said that "this was an unprecedented meeting in Honduras, an example of debate and addressing the problems fully while understanding that the discussion will continue, this Assembly was neither the beginning nor the end." As for the slogan of unity that was used for the event Reyes said "after this meeting we are more united in diversity ... (...) ... we were concerned about what could happen, but it's been a great success and the FNRP comes out stronger "

Likewise, one of the most important issues was the decision to begin a process of self convening or “autoconvocatoria” for a National Constituent Assembly from June 28th of this year. In this sense, Felix Molina mentioned a number of organizations that have been working on constitutional proposals. "We must work on the contents of the new constitution" said Molina, ensuring that the Broad Base -Movement for Dignity and Justice, The Red COMAL, the Diocese of Western Honduras and the indigenous and black peoples of Honduras have all drafted actual proposals.

The political event was attended by former first lady Xiomara Castro as delegate, who in her speech asked the U.S. government not to interfere in the self determination of the Honduran people to decide about their present, their future and their way of life.

Subsequently, on Sunday, groups of delegates met by “departamento” of origin to choose their representatives for the Mid-term Assembly on March 11 where delegates will begin to work on the major tasks set in this assembly and for which they have to meet every two or three months. Similarly, the delegates for the Mid-term Assembly will elect the new executive committee. Also, many departments decided a line of gender parity such as Santa Barbara which chose 4 women and 4 men for that Assembly.

Several people noted that an issue of identity has been solved, besides the existence of unanimity that only together the resistance will achieve a National Constituent Assembly, the return of people who are in exile and the dismantling of the regime.

The event was certainly historic and full of meaning. It was also a space for political debate of representation that in turn portrays a departure point towards the emancipation of the people in resistance.