Senator Patrick Leahy Decries The Assassination In Honduras Of Berta Caceres

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following are the comments of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt., Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee On The State Department And Foreign Operations) on the assassination of Berta Caceres in Honduras.

"Berta Caceres spent her life fighting for indigenous rights, and this horrific crime demonstrates that no one, not even an internationally known social activist, is safe in Honduras if they speak out against corruption or abuse of authority. 

"Ms. Caceres was an inspiration to people around the world, and her death is a great loss for all the people of Honduras. The immediate question is what President Hernandez and his government -- which has too often ignored or passively condoned attacks against Honduran social activists -- will do to support an independent investigation, prosecution, and punishment of those responsible for this despicable crime. 

"And beyond that, what steps will the government take to protect the many other Hondurans who have been deemed in need of protection, and to stand up for the rights of people like Berta who risk their lives in peacefully defending the environment and their livelihoods.

"The answers to those questions will weigh heavily on the Congress's support for future assistance for that government."

SOURCE Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy