Washington, D.C. -  Today, the House of Representatives approved House Resolution 100 (H. Res. 100), a resolution authored by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) to address the unsolved murders of more than 2,000 women and girls in Guatemala since 2001. Very few of these crimes have been investigated and even fewer perpetrators have been brought to justice for their crimes.

“I am very pleased that the House of Representatives approved this important resolution. Families of victims continue to seek the truth about the murders of their wives, mothers and daughters and they deserve honest answers.  Instead, Guatemalan authorities have investigated almost none of the murders and ignore or even intimidate those who try to seek justice,” Congresswoman Solis said. “H.Res. 100 will bring attention to the growing murder rate of women and girls in Guatemala, and increase the international pressure that is needed to stop the violence against women in that country.”

The Resolution condemns the murders and expresses condolences and support to families of victims.  Specifically, the resolution encourages the Government of Guatemala to recognize domestic violence as a crime and to promptly investigate the killings and prosecute those responsible. It also encourages adequate resources for police and prosecutors to investigate the murders thoroughly and urges the U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala to meet with the families of the victims.  Finally, it recommends that the Secretary of State develop a comprehensive plan to address and combat the growing problem of violence against women in Latin America.

H.Res. 100 has 96 bipartisan cosponsors.  The original cosponsors of the House Resolution include Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), the Chair of the full House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-CA), the Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. 

This resolution is endorsed by numerous prominent organizations, including Amnesty International, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), the Centeral American Resource Center (CARECEN), and the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies. 

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) has introduced a similar resolution (S. Res. 178) in the U.S. Senate. 

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