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| Identifier: | 05TEGUCIGALPA2228 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 05TEGUCIGALPA2228 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Tegucigalpa |
| Created: | 2005-10-31 23:00:00 |
| Classification: | UNCLASSIFIED |
| Tags: | SOCI ECON ELAB PGOV HO |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002228
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CEN, WHA/EPSC, DRL/IL, AND EB
STATE PASS USAID FOR LAC/CAM (LLIBANATI)
TREASURY FOR DDOUGLASS
LABOR FOR ILAB
GUATEMALA FOR COMMATT MLARSEN AND AGATT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI, ECON, ELAB, PGOV, HO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS OUTLAWS WITCHCRAFT -- SORT OF
1. In a regulatory announcement ("circular") issued by the
Ministry of Interior and Justice, Minister Roberto Pacheco
Reyes instructed Honduran mayors in the application of
Article 148 of the Law of Social Harmony ("Convivencia
Social") in matters of "fortune tellers, quacks, and any
person abusing the public trust." The law established a two
tiered system of fines for violations: less serious
infractions -- defined as those that arise from responsible
actions or negligence -- are subject to fines ranging from
300 to 500 lempiras (USD 16 to 26). More serious crime --
repeated offenses and those arising from fraud -- are subject
to fines ranging from 500 to 5000 lempiras (USD 26 to 263).
2. The promulgation of this regulation was quickly picked up
by media outlets, who characterized it as a crackdown on
witchcraft in the countryside. While Honduras is an
overwhelmingly Catholic country, there is a long tradition in
the countryside of folk healers, fortune tellers, and other
occult practitioners (referred to generically as "brujos").
3. The new regulation does not appear to be an attack on
Wiccan religious custom, and does not appear to constitute a
violation of freedom of religion. Rather, as the circular
makes clear, it is primarily a consumer protection measure.
The circular's preamble reads, "Aware of numerous complaints
filed with this Ministry by many persons claiming to be the
victims of fraud or trickery by persons practicing witchcraft
or folk healing and who, taking advantage of the public's
ignorance and inexperience, lead them to believe that they
will solve their problems, we therefore find it necessary to
request that the municipalities of the country take the
following actions to prevent the citizenry from falling prey
to such illicit schemes." The circular goes on to say that
municipalities may impose fines against "anyone who, for
profit, seeks to interpret dreams, perform divination,
predict the future, perform magic healing, or in any other
way abuse the public trust."
Williard
Williard
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