[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3714-H3715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE ADMINISTRATION MUST FREE RUTH LOPEZ

  (Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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

[[Page H3715]]

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.

                          ____________________