March 3, 2016
Berta Cáceres, an indigenous Lenca woman who won the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize for her fearless work to defend the Gualcarque River, its surrounding environment and people from the Agua Zarca Dam, was killed by gunmen last night in her home in La Esperanza, Honduras.
“On behalf of my siblings Doug Goldman and Susie Gelman, Prize jury, and staff, I’d like to express my deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues at COPINH and around the world,” said John Goldman, President of the Goldman Environmental Foundation. “She was a fearless environmental hero. She understood the risks that came with her work, but continued to lead her community with amazing strength and conviction.”
Several Goldman Environmental Prize winners are reeling from the loss of a fellow grassroots activists:
- “No one should die trying to do the right thing.” (Maria Gunnoe, USA);
- “My soul weeps for Berta and the planet.” (Craig Williams, USA);
- “We draw strength from her life and her death to continue her work here.” (Atherton Martin, Dominica)
Goldman Prize winners are planning to issue a joint statement in reaction to her death.
As detailed in a 2015 report from Global Witness, Honduras is the most dangerous country in the world for environmental activists. Prize staff is working with Global Witness and other partners to demand that the Honduran government conduct a full investigation into the killing, take immediate measures to ensure the safety of the Cáceres family, and grant protection for activists in Honduras.
“We mourn the loss of an inspirational leader, and will honor her life’s work by continuing to highlight the courageous work of Goldman Prize winners like Berta,” said Goldman. “She built an incredible community of grassroots activists in Honduras, who will carry on the campaign she fought and died for.”
