Congress Sets Human Rights Conditions on Some Aid to Honduras

In a remarkable end-of-year victory, Congress conditioned 20% of U.S. miliary and police aid to Honduras for fiscal year 2012 on State Department certification that Honduras is making progress in addressing human rights violations.  The conditions, included in a general appropriations bill approved by Congress on December 16, 2011, reflect growing congressional concern not only about human rights violations in Honduras since the 2009 coup but also dissatisfaction with the Obama Administration’s tepid response to date.

A Los Angeles Times editorial on January 2, 2012 lauded the move, stating that while the amount of money involved is modest, “it still sends an important message, one the Obama administration has been reluctant to send: [President Porfirio] Lobo must demonstrate that he's taking measurable steps to prevent human rights abuses and to hold those who commit them responsible.”  

Trade unions in Honduras have been at the forefront of the opposition to the 2009 coup and subsequent elections that were boycotted as undemocratic.