[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 421 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 421

  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives deploring the 
tragic and senseless murder of Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi, calling on the 
 Government of Guatemala to expeditiously bring those responsible for 
    the crime to justice, and calling on the people of Guatemala to 
 reaffirm their commitment to continue to implement the peace accords 
                         without interruption.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 6, 1998

  Mr. Brady (for himself, Mr. Gilman, Mr. Gallegly, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. 
  Smith of New Jersey, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Ballenger, Mr. Martinez, Mr. 
Sanford, and Mr. Davis of Florida) submitted the following resolution; 
     which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives deploring the 
tragic and senseless murder of Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi, calling on the 
 Government of Guatemala to expeditiously bring those responsible for 
    the crime to justice, and calling on the people of Guatemala to 
 reaffirm their commitment to continue to implement the peace accords 
                         without interruption.

Whereas on December 29, 1996, the Government of Guatemala and the 
        representatives of the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca 
        signed a historic peace accord ending 36 years of armed confrontation;
Whereas the peace accords, which included as the primary goals lasting peace, 
        national reconciliation, and political stability for all Guatemalans, 
        are being successfully implemented;
Whereas the peace accords included the creation of individual commissions to 
        implement a wide range of reforms to the political, social, and judicial 
        systems of Guatemala, including an enhanced respect for human rights and 
        the rule of law;
Whereas, despite the fact that crime and violence remain prevalent in Guatemala, 
        the human rights situation has improved over the last several years, 
        allowing for the creation of special investigative commissions on human 
        rights abuses, the prosecution of those involved in past human rights-
        related crimes, and the ability of human rights groups to operate with 
        freedom;
Whereas, in recognition that the human rights situation in Guatemala had 
        improved significantly, the United Nations Human Rights Commission voted 
        to remove Guatemala from its list of countries under observation for 
        abuses;
Whereas on Sunday, April 26, 1998, Guatemalan Roman Catholic Bishop Juan Jose 
        Gerardi was brutally and senselessly murdered just 48 hours after 
        presenting a landmark report detailing significant human rights 
        atrocities associated with the 36-year civil war in Guatemala;
Whereas Bishop Gerardi, while considered a common man, dedicated to his 
        ministry, was also considered one of Guatemala's most progressive 
        clergymen, an outspoken human rights advocate, and was the author of the 
        recent report ``Guatemala: Never Again'', the first comprehensive 
        examination of human rights violations committed during the decades of 
        political violence which engulfed that nation;
Whereas the slaying of Bishop Gerardi casts a pall over the effectiveness of the 
        peace accords and raises questions regarding the national commitment to 
        human rights and freedom of expression; and
Whereas the expeditious and successful resolution of the tragic death of Bishop 
        Gerardi is critical for the continuation of support for the peace 
        accords: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the Government of Guatemala, including the national 
        police and the military, should commit themselves to take all 
        steps necessary to resolve the heinous murder of Guatemalan 
        Roman Catholic Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi;
            (2) in order to deter continued human rights abuses, 
        resolve other human rights cases, and improve the citizens' 
        sense of personal security, the Government of Guatemala should 
        continue its efforts to establish effective civilian law 
        enforcement and judicial institutions;
            (3) the Government and people of Guatemala should make a 
        renewed commitment to successfully implement the peace accords, 
        especially those accords concerning human rights; and
            (4) the United States Government should provide all 
        necessary support to the investigation of the murder of Bishop 
        Gerardi and to continue to support the full implementation of 
        the peace accords.
                                 <all>