30 Years After Hispanic Archbishop's Murder, Group Calls For Truth

WASHINGTON,  -- The Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA) joins Salvadorans and others around the world in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero.

From modest beginnings, Oscar Romero became a transformative and much-loved voice for justice in a country plagued by poverty, social exclusion and military repression. After his death at the hands of right-wing, anti-communist conspirators, his life and words gave hope, courage and consolation to Salvadorans in every village and hamlet throughout the country and the diaspora, and continue to inspire millions of others around the world today.

The civil war ended in 1992, but true peace and reconciliation remain elusive until at least the two most horrific crimes that framed the beginning and end of the war are resolved: The murders of Archbishop Romero in 1980 and of the Jesuit priests in 1989.

In the interests of justice, reconciliation and a stable democratic future, CDA strongly supports the recommendations of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission and all efforts by the government of President Funes to resolve these and other crimes committed during the war, to finally allow the victims, their families and the Salvadoran people to rest in peace. CDA also urges the State Department and Members of the U.S. Congress to encourage the Salvadoran Government to resolve the crimes.

The Center for Democracy in the Americas is devoted to changing U.S. policy toward the countries of the Americas by basing our relations on mutual respect, fostering dialogue with those governments and movements with which U.S. policy is at odds, and recognizing positive trends in democracy and governance.

CDA's report on the First Hundred Days of the Funes Administration can be read here.  Our posting about the recent visit of President Funes to Washington can be read here.  

SOURCE The Center for Democracy in the Americas