Government of Jamaica Condemns Removal From Office of Honduras President

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Government of Jamaica has condemned the reported forcible removal from office of the democratically elected President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya by sections of the military.

In a statement this afternoon, the Government described the actions as a breach of the principles of respect for the rule of law, human rights and constitutional order. The statement said the government of Jamaica maintains its full support for and recognition of President Zelaya and has called for his immediate reinstatement .

The Government has also expressed deep concern that a number of government officials and diplomatic representatives have been detained and may have been physically harmed.

‘We deplore the violence and call upon the perpetrators to desist from these actions so that normalcy can be restored to the country for the benefit of the people of Honduras.

‘In accordance with the relevant provisions of the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, we affirm our support for the OAS to contribute to restoring normalcy to the country and for the use of the good office of the OAS Secretary General’, the statement concluded.