A/HRC/42/30 10. Guatemala 51. The case of Mr. Jerson Xitumul Morales, a journalist who regularly collaborated with OHCHR, was included in the 2018 report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/39/41, para. 40, Annex I, paras. 40–41). He was arrested on charges of threats, instigation to commit a crime, illicit association, illicit meetings and demonstrations, damages and illegal detention related to his reporting on the demonstrations in May 2017 by fishermen against the pollution of Lake Izabal by the mining activities of the Guatemalan Nickel Company (CGN). According to new information received, the trial of Mr. Morales was closed on 24 July 2018 at the request of the Public Ministry, due to the lack of evidence. 52. The situation of the national human rights institution (Procurador de los Derechos Humanos) and that of its Ombudsperson, Mr. Augusto Jordán Rodas Andrade, was included in the 2018 report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/39/41, para. 41 and Annex I para. 42). Allegations included attempts to undermine the independence of the institution because of its support for the CICIG, as well as smear campaigns against Mr. Rodas Andrade and threats to his family. According to new information received, attacks against the institution have continued due to its cooperation with the CICIG. The institution is reportedly facing a reduction of its 2019 budget, which may lead to its closure in October 2019. Moreover, there have been multiple attempts to remove Mr. Rodas Andrade from office by impeachment. 11. Honduras 53. The case of Ms. Hedme Castro, from ACI-PARTICIPA, was included in the 2018 report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/39/41, para. 44 and Annex I, paras. 45–47). According to new information received, on 6 April 2019, a member of the national police launched tear gas at individuals connected to ACI-PARTICIPA and relatives of Ms. Castro in the city of Choluteca. On 16 May 2019, four special procedures mandate holders addressed these allegations, expressing serious concerns about the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Castro and her relatives (HND 2/ 2019). On 17 July 2019, the Government responded135 on the protection measures taken for Ms. Castro. In April 2017, the case was admitted to the national protection mechanism and a risk assessment was initiated for Ms. Castro and ACI-PARTICIPA. According to the Government, the assessment was not completed due to the lack of availability of Ms. Castro. The protection mechanism has followed up on the complaint affecting Ms. Castro’s relatives. 54. Acts of intimidation and harassment against those sharing information with the UN in the fight against impunity for the killing of Ms. Berta Cáceres, a prominent indigenous Lenca leader and environmental human rights defender killed in March 2016, were reported in the 2018 report of the Secretary-General (A/HRC/39/41, para. 45 and Annex I, paras. 48–49). On 14 July 2018, the CERD expressed concern about the difficulties that rights defenders encounter in obtaining access to justice, as well as the persistence of high levels of impunity for violations of their rights. While noting that seven persons were convicted of the assassination of Ms. Cáceres, the Committee recommended awareness-raising campaigns on the crucial work undertaken by rights defenders to foster a climate of tolerance where they can work free from intimidation, threats and reprisals (CERD/C/HND/CO/6-8, para. 24, 25 (d)). Following their official visit to Honduras in November 2018, the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and practice expressed concern about the trial for Berta Caceres’ murder, which they see as “emblematic of the lack of transparency and unfair legal processes faced by women’s human rights 135 Response from Government: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/ DownLoadFile?gId=34786. 53