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Congressman Johnson calls for full disclosure after report detailing the assassination of slain Honduran activist

November 2, 2017

"The troubling report by the International Advisory Group of Experts (GAIPE), indicates a pattern and suggests that the botched investigation into Berta Caceres's murder is not an isolated incident," said Congressman Hank Johnson, who re-introduced the "Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act" in March of this year. The "Berta Caceres Human Rights in Honduras Act" would suspend U.S. funding to the Republic of Honduras for their police and military operations, until the Honduran government demonstrates an ability to root out corruption and human rights abuse within its military and civilian security forces, and successfully prosecute and those responsible for the killings of Honduran human rights activists.

"I want to see The Public Ministry conduct this investigation in a professional manner with the aim of holding accountable those responsible for Berta Caceres's murder. We cannot stand by and continue to supply security assistance and multilateral loans to the Honduran government if the information in this report is accurate. My colleagues in the United States Congress and I will all pay close attention to the outcome of the Caceres case and call on the Honduran government for acceptance of the legitimate role of civil society and the independent press, as well as top-to-bottom reform of the judicial system, which includes protecting its activists and pursuing those responsible for the crimes in question."