On Wednesday, June 15th, people all over the world demonstrated outside Honduran Embassies and Consulates in solidarity with the Civil Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). It was COPINH’s Global day of Action for Justice for Berta and demonstrations occurred in over 30 cities across the world.
Meanwhile, after much grassroots organizing and pressure, Representative Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) introduced H.R.5474, the “ Berta Cáceres Human Rights in Honduras Act”. We have a powerful and rare legislative opportunity to demand an immediate hold on all U.S. security aid to Honduras, which is currently fostering death squad activity directly linked to Berta Cáceres’ assassination.
To act now, click here to find your member of the House of Representatives, call their office in Washington DC, and ask to speak to the Foreign Policy staffer. If they are not available, you can leave them the following message or if you catch them in the office, you can tell them the following:
“I’m calling to ask that Rep. _________ support H.R.5474, the Berta Cáceres Human Rights in Honduras Act.
My community does not want our tax dollars funding death squads in Honduras. Instead we want a full and independent investigation into the murder of Berta Cáceres, prosecution of the intellectual and material authors of her murder, and the establishment of democratic systems of justice in Honduras in order to protect the rights of hundreds of political activists under attack all over the country.”
Thus far, the only Illinois Rep to support the bill is Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a long-time champion for human rights in Honduras and the first member of Congress to travel to Honduras after the military coup in 2009. If you’re in Jan’s district, call and thank her!
Otherwise, please take one minute to call your Representative and ask them to support H.R. 5474, a crucial and timely bill that demands that all U.S. aid to Honduran security forces must cease, and that the U.S. must vote no on all loans from multinational development banks to Honduras until the following conditions are met:
- A full investigation and prosecution into the murders of Berta Cáceres, 100 small-farmer activists in the Aguán Valley, Joel Palacios Lino and Elvis Armando García.
- A full investigation and prosecution of the armed attack against Félix Molina.
- A full investigation and prosecution of those members of the Honduran military and police forces who have committed human rights abuses.
- That the Honduran military withdraw from domestic policing, as mandated in the constitution.
That the rights of “…land rights defenders; trade unionists; journalists; Indigenous, Afro-Indigenous, small farmer and LGBTI activists; human rights defenders; critics of the government; and other civil society activists…” are protected.- Take steps toward establishing the rule of law and strong democratic systems such as a functioning judiciary branch capable of prosecuting member of the military and police forces.
Members of the House need to hear from constituents and your phone call will make a huge difference! CRLN, along with people from all over the U.S., will continue pressuring members of Congress to support H.R.5474.
Join this fight and call your Rep today!
