40 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS AT THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY COOPERATION H.R. 2989, the Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2013 renews the legislative efforts against the notorious U.S. military training institute, formerly known as the School of the Americas. Washington, DC - On August 2, 40 Members of Congress jointly introduced H.R. 2989, the Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2013 in the U.S. House of Representatives, that would suspend operations at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (formerly known as the School of the Americas), a military training school for Latin Americans soldiers and security personnel. The bill would also mandate an investigation into the connection between U.S. foreign military training and human rights abuses. “I am proud to once again introduce this important legislation,” Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) said. “It is past time for us to suspend operations at the WHINSEC and to undertake a thorough review of our military training programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. I’m pleased that so many of my colleagues are joining in this effort, and I’m grateful to Soa Watch for their commitment and advocacy.” The school made headlines in 1996 when the Pentagon released training manuals used at the school that advocated torture, extortion and execution. Hundreds of alumni have been implicated in human rights abuses and the formation of death squads, 11 Latin American military dictators, including Manuel Noriega of Panama, Hugo Banzer of Bolivia, General Rios Montt of Guatemala, attended the school. SOA graduates led the 2002 coup in Venezuela, and the 2009 coup in Honduras, and continue to be involved in repression in Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico. The SOA/WHINSEC stands synonymous for torture and military repression for people across the Americas. It has graduated at least 11 Latin American military dictators and countless human rights abusers. SOA Watch is an independent organization that seeks to close the SOA/WHINSEC through vigils and fasts, demonstrations and nonviolent protest, as well as media and legislative work. This November 22-24, thousands will converge at the gates of the SOA/ WHINSEC at Fort Benning, Georgia, to commemorate those who have been killed by graduates of the school, and demand the closure of the institution. The original co-sponsors of H.R. 2989, the Latin America Military Training Review Act of 2013 are: James P. McGovern (MA) John Lewis (GA) Mike Fitzpatrick (PA) John Conyers, Jr. (MI) Mike Michaud (ME) Keith Ellison (MN) Raul Grijalva (AZ) Jan Schakowsky (IL) Gwen Moore (WI) Donna Edwards (MD) Betty McCollum (MN) Peter DeFazio (OR) Yvette Clarke (NY) Jerrold Nadler (NY) Mike Honda (CA) Danny Davis (IL) Rosa DeLauro (CT) Wm. Lacy Clay (MO) Barbara Lee (CA) Anna Eshoo (CA) Tim Bishop (NY) Sam Farr (CA) Maxine Waters (CA) Peter Welch (VT) Mark Pocan (WI) David Price (NC) Earl Blumenauer (OR) Louise Slaughter (NY) Paul Tonko (NY) Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ) George Miller (CA) John Yarmuth (KY) Frederica S. Wilson (FL) John Tierney (MA) Jose Serrano (NY) Jim McDermott (WA) Jared Polis (CO) Charles B. Rangel (NY) Henry Waxman (CA) Lloyd Doggett (TX)
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 21:16:18 +0000
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