Finnfund statement
Berta Cáceres, leader of the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras (COPINH) that opposes the Agua Zarca hydroelectric plant project, was murdered in Honduras on 3 March. The project is co-financed by Finnfund. This is a shocking crime strongly condemned by Finnfund...The Honduran company DESA (Desarollos Energéticos, S.A.), developing the Agua Zarca project, has already been publicly accused of Cáceres’ murder. However, based on currently available information, there is no confirmed information on the identity of the murderers. Finnfund expects that they will be brought to justice. Finnfund follows the development of the situation and will react accordingly. As co-financiers, Finnfund and FMO have been able to significantly appease the situation between the project and its critics, and they have also been able to instigate other improvements in the management of project’s social and environmental responsibilities. The relationship between the project and the surrounding communities has improved significantly. A clear majority of the local villages and inhabitants support the project. The supporters for COPINH are primarily found in one village...From the very beginning, the key reason for the participation of Finnfund in the funding of Agua Zarca have been the major development impacts of the project...