Massachusetts AFL-CIO Resolution on Honduras and Democracy

WHEREAS, the democratically-elected president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, was illegally ousted from power in a military coup on June 28, 2009 and has been unable to return to his office and country, despite widespread condemnation of the coup, international pressure and diplomatic efforts to restore him to office; and

 

WHEREAS, unions, workers, students, church groups, human rights organizations, women’s organizations, and outraged Honduran citizens have organized massive peaceful resistance and non-violent public demonstration that only increase with each day that democracy is denied to the people of Honduras; and

 

WHEREAS, in the wake of the military coup, trade unionists, human rights activists, journalists, community leaders, and ordinary citizens have suffered grave violations of their human and civil rights with at least eight people killed, and hundreds injured or detained during mass protests against the coup and the dissolution of democracy in Honduras; and

 

WHEREAS, the AFL-CIO joined its sister organizations in Honduras, the CUTH, CTH, and CGT, the International Trade Union Confederation, and the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas in condemning the coup and calling for the international community, in particular the Organization of American States and the United Nations, to withhold recognition of the current government and to work towards the restoration of democracy and rule of law, and the return of President Zelaya to office; and

 

WHEREAS, the United States government has suspended military and direct government aid to the current government in Honduras in an effort to shore up its demands that President Zelaya be returned to office, but has refrained from issuing stronger economic sanctions; and 

 

WHEREAS, the militarily-backed de facto government, led by political and economic elites with Roberto Micheletti at the head, has so far resisted international calls for the restitution of constitutional law, refused to honor the San Jose accord on national reconciliation, and continued to repress those who speak against the coup; therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO condemns the militarily-backed coup against the popularly-elected President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, and the ensuing violent repression waged by the de facto Micheletti government against the Honduran people; and be it further

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO join the global labor movement and the Honduran trade union organizations along with social organizations, human rights groups, and many governments throughout the Americas and the world in demanding full restoration of democratic order and reinstatement of President Zelaya; and be it further

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO call on the Government of the United States to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on the de facto Micheletti government by:

 

 

 

 

And be it further,

 

RESOLVED that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO call on our members of the United States Congress to demand and monitor these decisive actions on the part of the Administration until constitutional order is restored and President Zelaya, the democratically-elected president, is returned to office; and be it finally

 

RESOLVED that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution to all relevant parties in order to demonstrate its strong support for the restoration of democratic order in Honduras and the reinstatement of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Jeffrey Crosby

President, IUE-CWA Local 201