U.S. Trade Unions Urge Congress to Take Stance Against Coup in Honduras

In an August 5, 2009 letter organized by USLEAP, seven U.S. trade unions urge Members of Congress to condemn the military coup in Honduras and support democracy by co-sponsoring the Delahunt-McGovern-Serrano House Resolution (H.Res. 630). As the situation in Honduras seems to worsen, the letter asks Representatives to join efforts with the international community and the international trade union movement in supporting the reinstatement of democratically-elected President Zelaya who was ousted from his position by military officials of the de facto government on June 28.

The three principal labor centrals in Honduras, the Unitary Confederation of Honduran Workers (CUTH),  General Workers Central (CGT) and Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH) also released a statement on August 5, calling for a national strike on August 6, 2009 until the restitution of institutional order and the return of Jose Manuel Zelaya to the presidency of the republic.  The three centrals also call on the U.S. government to cancel visas and bank accounts for all those involved in the coup, withdraw diplomatic representation, and freeze planned support.

On July 28, the U.S. State Department revoked the diplomatic visas of four of the top members of the de facto government.  Concerns about the current level of violence and repression against trade unionists and civilians who protest peacefully against the coup in Honduras are growing as new reports indicate massive physical attacks and detainment of protestors. U.S. trade unions ask the Administration to maintain pressure on the coup leaders fearing that the de facto government's obdurateness and the strong resistance to the coup will further escalate levels of violence.

"The last coup in Central America was in 1993. Coups in Latin America belong in the past. If this coup is not reversed, it will have dire consequences for democracy and stability in the region, as well as for rule of law, democracy, and stability in Honduras itself."