Since the June 2009 coup d’état that overthrew Honduras’ democratically-elected president, the Honduran police and military have engaged in systematic threats and violence against campesinos, human rights defenders, journalists, community leaders, opposition activists and others. Violence has been particularly acute in the Aguan Valley region of Honduras, where campesinos have been struggling for land rights. CCR and many other groups working in solidarity with Honduran human rights groups have called for the United States to immediately end its funding of the Honduran police and military.
This week, Congresswoman Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL) is circulating a letter to other members of Congress regarding the situation in the Aguan Valley. The letter asks that they join her in calling on the State Department to ensure that U.S. aid is not used to support police and military personnel that have committed human rights violations.
Please write to your representative in the House today and get their phone number by clicking here and entering your zip code. Ask them to promote human rights in Honduras by signing on to Rep. Schakowsky’s letter. Their action is needed immediately; signatures must be collected by March 1. In addition to sending an email, we urge you to call your representative, as this will demonstrate even more concern from constituents. You can also reach your representative’s office through the congressional switchboard: 202-224-3121.
After emailing your representative, please call their Washington office and ask to speak to the foreign policy aide. If the aide is not there, ask to leave a message. Here is sample language to use for your phone call:
“My name is ____ and I live in your district in [_your city or town_]. I am calling to urge Representative ____ to sign the Schakowsky letter to Secretary Clinton in support of human rights in Honduras. I’d like to know whether Representative ____ will sign this important letter. You can reach me at [_your number_]. You can contact Representative Schakowsky’s office for a copy of the letter. Thank you.”
Thank you for getting involved in this important effort to stop the U.S. funding of Honduran police and military.
The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Founded in 1966 by attorneys who represented civil rights movements in the South, CCR is a non-profit legal and educational organization committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.