The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights through grassroots collaborations.
Letters of Solidarity for Guapinol
Introduction
The Guapinol community and the larger Bajo Aguán region in Honduras have long fought to defend their land and protect the environment, risking their lives to uphold human rights and justice. Following the tragic assassination of environmental defender Juan López, we invite you to join our letter-writing campaign to show solidarity and amplify calls for accountability. This holiday season, let’s unite to support those on the frontlines and demand action from U.S. officials. Whether you send messages of support to the Guapinol defenders or call on U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu to push for justice, your voice can make a difference.
Letters to the Tocoa and Bajo Aguán Community
Express your solidarity and support for the community during this challenging time. Your letter can offer encouragement and hope, letting them know they are not alone in their fight for justice. You may choose to:
- Convey your admiration for their courage in defending their land, water, and human rights;
- Offer words of comfort and solidarity, acknowledging the grief and sacrifices made by the community;
- Reaffirm your commitment to allyship, amplifying their calls for justice and advocating their safety and well-being; and/or
- Send wishes for strength, unity, and perseverance during the holiday season, reminding them that international communities are with them in their cause.
Letters to Laura Dogu, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras
Writing to U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu is a powerful way to urge the United States to push policies that support human rights defenders in Honduras and to advocate a thorough and fair investigation into Juan López’s assassination. In your letter, you can speak to your concern over the threats faced by environmental defenders and emphasize the need for the United-States to take a firm stance against impunity. Here are a few points to consider:
- Highlight the ongoing dangers human rights defenders face in Honduras and the urgent need for protection and justice;
- Urge the Ambassador to pressure the Honduran government for a transparent and credible investigation into Juan López’s murder;
- Request that the U.S. government support the immediate and long-term protection of the Guapinol community and other defenders at risk;
- Emphasize the importance of holding those truly responsible for violence accountable, ensuring their actions have consequences.
Join the Campaign
This holiday season, let’s ensure the Guapinol community feels the strength of global solidarity to hold those in power accountable. Please send your letters to UUSC’s office address below and our team will ensure they reach their intended recipients. Together, we can turn our words into action and make a difference for those defending our planet.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
689 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139-3302
