(Honduras) Letter to Obama

[rabs]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2009
11:32 AM
CONTACT: Latin American Experts and Academics
Dana Frank or Greg Grandin


Honduran Elections: Over 240 Academics and Experts on Latin America Call on Obama to Denounce Human Rights Abuses by Honduran Dictatorship
Free and Fair Elections Are Possible Only After the Coup is Reversed, They Say

CLAREMONT, Calif. - November 12 - Over 240 academics and experts on Latin America sent a letter to President Obama yesterday urging him to denounce the ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by the coup regime in Honduras ahead of the planned November 29 elections. They also urged him to demand the immediate restitution of President Manuel Zelaya and to support a full three months of electoral campaigning after the coup has been overturned and "debating, organizing, and all other aspects of election campaigns can be conducted in an atmosphere that is free from fear; in which all views and parties are free to make their voices heard - not just those that are allowed under an illegal military occupation." This would mean that this month's elections - which Latin America and the European Union have said they will not recognize - would need to be rescheduled.

"With only days left before the scheduled November 29 elections, the U.S. government must make a choice," the letter states. "It can either side with democracy, along with every government in Latin America, or it can side with the coup regime, and further isolate the United States in the hemisphere."

Last Thursday, the Rio Group, which includes all of Latin America and most of the Caribbean, issued a statement declaring that they would consider the November 29 elections to be illegitimate if Zelaya is not first reinstated.

The current letter continues: "Moreover, the U.S. cannot afford to maintain its deafening silence regarding the innumerable and grave human rights abuses committed by the coup government in Honduras - a silence that has become a conspicuous international embarrassment."

Full text:
http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/11/12-7

[Judi Lynn]

1. Hope he will take time to look at this. It bears some well known names.

They are from ALL over the country, as well. Even South Florida!

Thanks for the post.

[Peace Patriot]

2. "this month's elections...need to be rescheduled." YES!

"They also urged (Obama) to demand the immediate restitution of President Manuel Zelaya and to support a full three months of electoral campaigning after the coup has been overturned and 'debating, organizing, and all other aspects of election campaigns can be conducted in an atmosphere that is free from fear; in which all views and parties are free to make their voices heard - not just those that are allowed under an illegal military occupation.' This would mean that this month's elections - which Latin America and the European Union have said they will not recognize - would need to be rescheduled." --from the OP (my emphasis)

This is so important! The election must be postponed, full civil rights restored, freedom of the press restored, and the rightful president restored for the length of time that he was denied the powers of his office. The golpistas have not only suspended all civil rights, brutalized people and killed people for their political views--even breaking the arm of an independent candidate for president--they have also purged all supporters of the rule of law from the government! How can an election proceed in these circumstances? It cannot.

[rabs]

3. Yes, saw that and knew you would pick up on it immediately

Had noted in several of your previous posts you maintained that the elections should be rescheduled.

Think maybe the academics read your posts? :)

[Downwinder]

4. But, but, -- the results have already been programed.

Do you realize how many figures will have to be adjusted to make the totals come out right?

The election is THIS month!

WHO is going to PAY for the overtime??