Reps. Johnson & Schakowsky, Senator Welch Lead 17 Members of Congress in Bicameral Letter to Secretary Blinken Calling for Continued Justice in Berta Cáceres Murder Case

Full Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representatives Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) led 17 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concern over the status of the case of murdered Honduran Indigenous rights defender Berta Cáceres. The legislators urged Secretary Blinken to closely monitor the pending appeals and convey the State Department's support for further investigations into Cáceres' murder.

The letter highlights the progress made in prosecuting those responsible for Cáceres' 2016 assassination, including the conviction of eight men. However, the lawmakers warn that these convictions are now at risk due to pending appeals and media campaigns spreading false information.

“Berta was just one of hundreds of human rights and environmental defenders who have been murdered in Honduras, but her case stands out as one of only a few that have been subject to investigation and prosecution,” said the lawmakers. “It has opened a crack in the wall of impunity and provides insight into the criminal structures fueling the pervasive corruption and violence that have provoked the crisis that is forcing so many Central Americans to migrate to the United States. It is vital to continue investigations of those involved in Berta's case, as well as related crimes."

Specifically, the letter:

• Expresses concern over undue pressure on judges handling the appeals of the convicted individuals.
• Raises alarm at spurious charges against a technology expert who provided evidence in the case.
• Stresses the need for continued investigations into related crimes, including financial crimes and violence against villagers in Rio Blanco.
• Urges the U.S. Embassy to publicly repudiate false statements suggesting U.S. agencies found irregularities in the evidence against the defendants.

Reps. Johnson and Schakowsky and Sen. Welch were joined on the letter by Reps. Bush, Castro, García, Grijalva, Lynch, McGovern, Omar, Pocan, Raskin, and Wilson and Senators Durbin, Kaine, Markey, and Merkley.

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