| Washington, D.C. - Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) and Dan Burton (R-IN) introduced H. Res. 1081 to address the more than 2,000 women and girls who have been killed in Guatemala since 2001 and very few perpetrators have been brought to justice for their crimes.
“The victims’ families deserve answers and honesty from the Guatemalan government and have been ignored and even intimidated in their search for justice,” said Congresswoman Solis. “The brutality and frequency of killings has only increased. It is clear that international pressure must be brought to bear on Guatemala authorities to end the unchecked violence and killings of women.”
H.Res. 1081 condemns the murders and expresses condolences and support to families. Specifically, the resolution encourages the Government of Guatemala to recognize domestic violence as a crime and to promptly investigate the killings and prosecute those responsible. It also ensures adequate resources for police and prosecutors to investigate the murders thoroughly and urges the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala to meet with the families of the victims. Finally, it recommends that the Secretary of State develop a comprehensive plan to address and combat the growing problem of violence against women in Latin America.
The original sponsors of the House Resolution include Representatives Dan Burton (R-IN), the current Chair of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), a leading advocate on Latin American issues; Tom Lantos (D-CA), the incoming Chair of the full House International Relations Committee next year; Eliot Engel (D-CA), the current Ranking Member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere; and Barbara Lee (D-CA), a member of the House International Relations Committee.
The resolution has been referred to the House International Relations Committee for consideration.
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