Ramirez, McGovern Call for Justice for Assassinated Honduran Human Rights and Environmental Defender

Washington, DC- On September 15, in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Honduran activist Juan López, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03)and Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-2)introduced a resolutionhonoring his legacy and calling for justice and accountability for his murder. The resolution also urges the United States to commit to working in solidarity with the people of Honduras to build a more secure, democratic, and prosperous country and protect human rights.

"I rise today to honor the life of Juan López - a Honduran, a Catholic leader, a human rights defender, an environmental activist - a year after his brutal assassination. Today, I declare we will not forget Juan Lopez. As Juan said, 'They can tear me up, they can cut me down. But I'll always come back,'"said Congresswoman Ramirez in Spanish on the House Floor, as she honored Juan Lopez after introducing her resolution. "Today, I honor all those who carry on Juan's legacy to live without fear of powerful companies and corrupt officials stealing and polluting their land and murdering courageous leaders for peacefully defending natural resources that are rightfully theirs."

"Today, I stand in solidarity with all those who loved Juan Lopez, who continue his struggle, and who will not back down until we realize justice for Juan, for Berta Cáceres, and for all those land defenders murdered," added Congresswoman Ramirez.

The resolution was preceded by a letterfrom Ramirez, McGovern, and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), who called on the Department of State to press for concrete action on Honduras' unresolved prosecutions and the unenforced environmental legislation, which create an atmosphere of instability, undermine investor confidence and fuel migration.

In addition to Ramirez and McGovern, four members of Congress joined the resolution honoring Juan Lopez as original cosponsors: Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Rep. Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05).

For the language of the resolution, CLICK HERE.

For the letter, CLICK HERE.

For Ramirez's speech on the House Floor, CLICK HERE.

Background:

In October 2024, as a founder of the Global Migration Caucus and the Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security committee, Congresswoman Ramirez participated in a trip to Honduras, where she met with grassroots and indigenous groups about the root causes of migration. During the visit, she sat with both Juan López's widow and compañerasand with the leaders who rose up after the assassination of Berta Cáceres Flores. After the visit, in her statement following, Ramirez urged U.S. and Honduran leaders to protect the sources of life for people across the globe - the land, the water, the air, the forests - and use our influence and resources to ensure that everyone has not only the right to migrate, but the right to remain, free of persecution, violence, economic deprivation, and corruption.