Introduction: The Commission for the Defense of Human Rights in Central America (CODEHUCA), formed in 1978, researches and analyses the civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and the rights of peoples (peace, selfdetermination, a healthy and safe environment, development, and sovereignty). CODEHUCA fights vigorously for the human rights of Central Americans through its twelve member human rights organizations in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.



Objectives: It acts as a coordinating body in the promotion and protection of human rights in the region. Its objectives are to: disseminate information about, and heighten an awareness of, human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights in Central America; to create a Permanent Tribunal of the Peoples of Central America; and to publish human rights periodicals and reports.