U.S. lawmakers urge int’l probe of Honduran activist’s murder

Eleven Democratic senators have written to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry asking him to support calls for an “international and transparent investigation” of the murder of Honduran environmental activist and indigenous leader Berta Caceres.

The lawmakers also requested a review of the effectiveness of U.S. security assistance to Honduras and of the Honduran government’s efforts to ensure freedom of expression and the rule of law.

They urged Kerry to take steps to guarantee that the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights, with its “unique experience” in investigating human rights violations throughout the hemisphere, is allowed to take an active part in the probe of Caceres’ death.

The letter was signed by Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Sens. Barbara Boxer of California, Ron Wyden of Oregon, Tom Udall of New Mexico, Tim Kaine of Virginia, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Christopher Coons of Delaware, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and Dick Durbin of Illinois.

Berta Caceres, 44, was fatally shot in the wee hours of March 3 at her residence in the western city of La Esperanza.

As a founder and coordinator of the indigenous organization Copinh, Caceres led demonstrations against hydroelectric projects that she said threatened the environment.

Caceres, a Lenca Indian and mother of four, was awarded the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize in recognition of her grassroots efforts to protect natural resources in western Honduras.

She also led protests against the June 28, 2009, coup that ousted thenPresident Manuel Zelaya.

One of Caceres’ daughters was in Washington earlier this week to appeal to U.S. lawmakers to back demands for an independent international probe of the killing and to end security assistance to the “corrupt” government in Tegucigalpa.

Laura Zuñiga Caceres spoke at a briefing on Capitol Hill arranged by Rep. Hank Johnson (DGa.).

“The U.S. government has a great deal of power to pressure the Honduran government,” Zuñiga told activists and congressional aides, advocating an immediate end to Washington’s financial support for the “military and security apparatus” in Honduras.

The funds Honduras receives from foreign governments “are absorbed in corruption, in repression and in the sale of the country without listening to the population,” she said.

“It’s a lack of respect for United States people that the U.S. gives money to the police in Honduras, which is marked by violating human rights,” the 23yearold Zuñiga said.

“There’s little will among authorities in Honduras to investigate the murder of my mother,” Zuñiga said.