The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) approved a settlement Tuesday between the government of Honduras and the family members of Escaleras Mejia, a famed Honduran environmentalist.

Two men murdered Escaleras Mejia on October 18, 1997, in a politically motivated assassination to prevent him from being elected mayor of the Tocoa Municipality in the elections to be held that November. Escaleras was already a well known environmentalist at the time having led a series of protests against the proposed destruction of a watershed to make way for new military facilities. In the weeks leading up to his assassination, he had received threats, bribes and other pressure to withdraw from his campaign and from any further environmental activism.

The IACHR found Honduras responsible for the deprivation of Escaleras’ human rights, including the right to freedom of association. The court noted the violence that occurred in this period particularly toward environmental defenders. The court declared that a government has a duty to its human rights defenders because the free exercise of human rights can only happen when the people are protected from threats and attacks of all kinds.

In the final settlement, the government of Honduras agreed to a number of provisions requested by Escaleras’ family. The government agreed to broadcast a documentary about the life of Escaleras Mejia as a human rights activist. Honduras agreed to provide education for secondary school teachers on environmental issues. Escaleras’ sons will have their secondary and university education guaranteed by Honduras. Honduras justice system will seek to clarify the details of Escaleras’ assassination and will prosecute the offenders where possible.