Dear Friends,
LAST WEEK, Representative Hank JOHNSON (D-GA) joined by Representatives CONYERS, KAPTUR, ELLISON and SCHAKOWSKY, introduced HR Bill 5474, the “Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act” calling for the, “Suspension of security assistance with Honduras until such time as human rights violations by Honduran security forces cease and their perpetrators are brought to justice.”
Representative Hank Johnson stated: "We provide millions of dollars in security assistance to Honduras but these same forces have been found to attack and kill environmental, labor and human rights activists like Cáceres without any effective response from the authorities."
YESTERDAY, a breaking story in the Guardian reports new information related to the tragic murder of Honduran environmental/indigenous rights defender, 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize recipient, Berta Caceres. Berta Cáceres appeared on a hit list distributed to US-trained Special Forces units of the Honduran military months before her death. Lists featuring the names and photographs of dozens of social and enviornmental activists were given to two elite units, with orders to eliminate each target.
According to a soldier who deserted from the unit: "Cácere’s name appeared on a list given to a military police unit in the inter-institutional Security Force (FUSINA), which last summer received training from 300 marines and FBI agents.
For years, human rights organizations have meticulously documented the existence of death squads, patterns of targeted killings and human rights violations that are state policy in Honduaas.
For years, human rights organizations have meticulously documented the existence of death squads, patterns of targeted killings and human rights violations that are state policy in Honduras.
Please contact your members of Congress and ask them to support HR Bill 5474, the “Bertha Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act”