2016 Honda CRV hatchback won’t open

if you can get the top of the panel pulled away enough you should be able to trigger the latch, damaging the panel is very likely.

once open I sprayed silicon lube to moving parts it started working. don't know how long it will last

Remove the small rectangular panel on the lower centre of the inside of the door. You will need to get your head down on the carpet and look straight in to see a white rectangle with a curved opening. Inside that curved opening you will see a metal latch pull the latch gently downward with a screwdriver or a needle nose pliers and this will open the rear door. Then you can remove the panel properly and test your switch which is likely the root cause but not definitely until you test it.