Minnesota lawmakers urge Congress to withdraw security funding from Honduras

[Judi Lynn]

Legislators say money aids human rights violations. 
By Ryan Faircloth Star Tribune
 MARCH 21, 2018 — 5:42PM

DFL lawmakers on Wednesday relayed a joint message urging Congress to suspend security assistance to the country of Honduras.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, DFL-Minneapolis, and fellow lawmakers unveiled a measure calling for Congress to support the Berta Cáceres Human Rights in Honduras Act, a congressional proposal that would halt security aid to the country until human rights violations have ended and perpetrators have been reprimanded.

The U.S. has funneled $200 million into the country since 2009 for military and police assistance, which lawmakers say has contributed to human rights violations by Honduran security forces.

"We ask Congress to withdraw our military and security aid because it has become clear we cannot control whether or not they repress their democratic system, but they don't need to use our money to do it," said Omar, the main sponsor of the House resolution. Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, DFL-Minneapolis, is carrying the measure in the Senate.

More:
http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-lawmakers-urge-congress-to-withdraw-security-funding-from-honduras/477562043/