At
4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, Revistazo.com journalists were waiting
at the entrance of the Prison of Gracias, Lempira.
After identifying ourselves, we were permitted access to inteview Felipe
Bejarano, Luís Benítez and Marcelino and Leonardo Miranda,
Lenca men from the Montaña Verde community.
At the last minute, Luís Benítez and Felipe Bejarano were
transferred to the First Court and would not have time for the interview.
4:10 pm: We meet Luís and Felipe in the guard
room, and only have time to introduce ourselves as they are led to the
exit.
4:15 pm: Marcelin and Leonardo come into the guard room
for the interview. They tell us why they were arrested, about the injustices
they have suffered throughout the process, the threats against their lives
in prison, the health problems they've suffered from the beatings they
received when they were arrested, and their hopes to be released as soon
as possible since they are sure they are completely innocent of all charges
against them.
4:50 pm: We meet Luís and Felipe as they return
to prison, this time without handcuffs, coming only to gather their belongings.
They are free men.
5:20 pm: We are on the road to Esperanza with Luís
and Felipe, who have traded in their orange jumpsuits and handcuffs for
the few possessions they carry in plastic bags.
5:24 pm: Felipe Bejarano recognizes Demetrio Benítez
in a passing car. Benítez is the man who accused them of damaging
his private property, of robbery and altering property boundaries. Felipe's
face reflects fear, anger and helplessness. This man, driving a white
car, is responsible for their time in prison, and now, by coincidence,
he is one of the first people they see upon their long awaited release.
"May God forgive him," he stammers.
6:50 pm: The trip is passed with stories of life in prison.
"I learned how to read with the Bible," says Luís Benítez.
He smiles broadly and asks, "Do you know what my main problems was?
That I didn't know the difference between the chapters and the verses."
Felipe shares that the most disagreeable thing about prison was the food
on Saturdays, a poorly made chicken soup.
7:50 pm: We arrive in La Esperanza and walk to the COPINH
(Civil Council of Popular Indigenous Nations) office, where many indigenous
people from various communities are gathered to celebrate International
Labor Day.
7:55 pm: It is not until COPINH leaders announce Luís
and Felipe's freedom that the crowd notices their presence. Then everyone
breaks out in loud applause to welcome them. Many people come up to greet
them, some of the most enthusiastic being the few British volunteers from
Rights Action and friends of Luís and Felipe who are in the kitchen
preparing a meal. Luís and Felipe are invited into the kitchen
to eat their first meal as free men.
8:20 pm: The two men walk over to the central square
of La Esperanza to participate in the Labor Day activities. They watch
"Guancasco" and "Toro Fuego".
And so 27 months of prison for Felipe and 15 months of prison for Luís
comes to an end. Both reaffirm their commitment to the fight to defend
the rights of their community. The judge found them innocent, after more
than two years incarceration. Will there be justice? That is the constant
question of the indigenous in Honduras.
Felipe Bejarano and Luis Benítez