Sister Cities Statement in Solidarity with Honduras

We, the U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities Network, stand in solidarity with the people of Honduras and the National Front Against the Coup D’etat in Honduras as they struggle to protect their constitutional rights and restore democracy in their country.

We categorically reject the coup d’etat lead by Roberto Micheletti on June 28th, 2009 in Honduras as a blatant violation of democratic process and the constitution of the Republic of Honduras. We join the people of Honduras as well as numerous international organizations, including the United Nations and Organization of American States, in demanding the immediate reinstatement of the legitimate President of the Republic Manuel Zelaya Rosales as well as for a return to the country’s democratic institutions.

We also denounce and call for investigation of the multiple human and constitutional rights violations propagated by the de facto government, such as disappearances, incidents of torture, press censorship, unlawful arrest and detentions, and harassment among others.

The USESSC Network also recognizes the role the United States Government and U.S. Military and Intelligence Agencies have played in promoting and supporting this anti-democratic process and we call for President Obama’s administration to take a decisive and firm position against the de facto government, by ceasing all military, diplomatic and economic aid to Honduras, as well as by not recognizing the upcoming presidential elections.

We as an organization will continue to support the Honduran people in their struggle until democracy and respect for human rights are restored.

Signed,

U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities

Representing:

The Arlington-Teosinte Sister City Project

The Bangor-Carasque Sister City Project

The Binghamton-El Charcón Sister City Project

The Cambridge-San José Las Flores Sister City Project

The Chicago-Cinquera Sister City Project

FOCUS Central America, Wichita, KS

Friends of Chilama

The Lawrence-El Papaturro Friendship Committee

The Madison-Arcatao Sister City Project

The Garden State-Los Amates Sister City Project

The Philadelphia-Las Anonas de Santa Cruz Sister City Project

The Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice, Manhattan, Kansas

The Austin-Guajoyo Sister City Project