The Administration Must Free Ruth Lopez

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, to be a champion for human rights around the world, the United States must stand for those who defend fundamental rights.

One human rights defender who needs our help is Ruth Lopez, head of the anti-corruption unit of Cristosal, a legal rights group based, until recently, in El Salvador.

One year ago this week, Ruth was detained by Salvadoran authorities. For most of this time, she has been held incommunicado, without access to family or legal counsel.

Her arrest and judicial proceedings are full of irregularities. A judge refused her request for a public trial, siding with the government to keep it secret.

Ruth is being targeted for political reasons by an autocratic regime. This is arbitrary detention, a human rights violation. She should not be in jail at all.

We call on the Salvadoran authorities to respect her right to a fair, speedy, and public trial, and have access to her family and lawyers.

I asked the U.S. Embassy to help Ruth. There was no response. I fear our government is siding with the abusers rather than the defenders of human rights.

Free Ruth Lopez.

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