Urgent action to support La Puya communities opposing US-owned gold mine

Take action: Stand in solidarity with La Puya

On Friday, May 23, the communities in resistance of La Puya were violently evicted from their blockade at the entrance to El Tambor gold mine. This attack comes after more than two years of peaceful resistance to the project, and repeated calls for dialogue. Hundreds of police used tear gas and flash bombs to remove the women who formed the front lines of the resistance. Over twenty people were injured. 

Police accompany machinery sent by Kappes, Cassiday and Associates to enter the mine site.
Photo: James Rodríguez, mimundo.org

The communities of San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc that form the resistance at La Puya explain: 

"The purpose of the operation, directed by the Ministry of the Interior, was to forcibly introduce machinery through the mine entrance, where the communities in resistance installed their blockade on March 2, 2012… 

The police forces included women who were there to confront the brave women of the resistance who had positioned themselves on their knees at the entrance, singing the national anthem and religious songs. The police, gloating in their brutality, lashed out against the women, shooting tear gas bombs at protesters' bodies, causing grave wounds to women, children and the elderly. [These actions] even affected the female police who were on the front lines without protection. 

Given this situation, which was planned by [the Minister of the Interior] Mauricio López Bonilla and the Director of the National Civil Police Telémaco Pérez, the communities resisted and defended themselves from police aggression for more than an hour and a half. Personnel from the High Commissioners Office on Human Rights, the [Guatemalan] Human Rights Ombudsman’s office, as well as human rights observers from international and national institutions bore witness to the police action." 

Women of the La Puya peaceful resistance. Photo: James Rodríguez, mimundo.org

Despite this violent repression, the brave men and women of La Puya continue to resist, and call on the international community "to take urgent measures in defense of the rights of the people of San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc."

Join NISGUA, GHRC and MiningWatch Canada in solidarity with La Puya: Call on KCA and Radius Gold, the principal companies invested in the project, to halt all mining activities until the dialogue process has concluded between the Guatemalan government and the communities of La Puya, and to cease any pressure on Guatemalan authorities to use violent force against the protesters. 

Please consider adding your organizational signature to the letter and circulate it widely for individual sign ons via our online action page.

Dear Kappes Cassiday & Associates and Radius Gold, 

I write to you, the principal companies invested in the El Tambor mine project just north of Guatemala City, to vociferously denounce the violent repression on Friday May 23rd that Guatemalan security forces used on your behalf against men, women and children who have been peacefully defending their water, health and community wellbeing since March 2nd 2012. Considering the ongoing dialogue process between the Guatemalan government and the community, we urge you to halt all mining activities and to desist from any efforts to pressure Guatemalan authorities to use aggression and violent force against Guatemalan citizens.

On Friday, hundreds of police were deployed to the encampment known as La Puya; they used tear gas and flash bombs against an unarmed and peaceful group of protesters. Some were caught on video throwing rocks on the group from a nearby hill. Over twenty people were injured, two seriously; seven were taken to the hospital in Guatemala City. 

People at La Puya have demonstrated ongoing willingness to dialogue to find a non-violent solution to community concerns regarding the future of your project. In fact, for almost one year, representatives of the movement have been participating in a high-level dialogue with their government. They have requested that this dialogue be solely with their government – and not with KCA or Radius - because the issues on the table relate to the government’s obligations to respect the rights of its citizens. 

The dialogue stalled early last week when the government refused to allow the conversation to be recorded. During the standoff at La Puya on Friday, the Vice-Minister of the Interior insinuated that the government had agreed to accompany the mine equipment because the dialogue was effectively "broken." Community members at La Puya continue to reiterate that they want to complete the dialogue process, but with transparency. Encouraging the Guatemalan authorities and affected communities to find a peaceful solution to this conflict should be your top priority. 

The attack on Friday was not the first incident of violence against the people of La Puya. In June 2012, an unknown gunman shot and wounded Yolanda Oquelí while she was on her way home from the roadblock. In addition, security guards hired by EXMINGUA were convicted of intimidating journalists at the roadblock in December 2012.

Community concerns about the impact of the project on water and health are supported by an evaluation carried out by hydrogeology and geochemistry expert Robert Moran. He states in a May 22, 2014 review that your company’s Environmental Impact Assessment is the worst quality that he has seen out of hundreds he has reviewed in 42 years of experience. While the process has been slow, all parties were working toward an agreement to review the EIA to address the report's failure to consider water contamination due to high levels of arsenic already present in the soil. 

Although Radius Gold sold its shares in the local Guatemalan subsidiary Exploraciones Mineras de Guatemala S.A. (EXMINGUA) to KCA in August 2012, it retains an economic interest in the mine. The company's 2013 audited financial statements state that three quarters of the cost of the sale transaction will be paid to Radius once gold shipments commence from the property and that Radius also anticipates quarterly payments from KCA based on gold production. 

I call on Kappes, Cassiday & Associates of Nevada and Radius Gold of Vancouver halt all mining activities out of support for the dialogue process and to publicly call for an end to the use of violent force by Guatemalan security forces.

Sincerely,

[Your name or organization here]

cc: 

President Otto Pérez Molina

Guatemalan Ministry of the Interior

U.S. Embassy in Guatemala

Canadian Embassy in Guatemala

Organizations in defense of territory denounce violence against their communities

Late Sunday night, around 10:30PM, father and daughter activists involved in the resistance against Tahoe Resources' Escobal Mine, Edwin Alex Reynoso and Merilyn Topacio Reynoso, were attacked by unknown suspects. Alex and Topacio were on their way home from Matequescuintla after attending an activity there. Topacio was shot and killed; Alex was severely wounded and remains in intensive care. While details of the attack against Alex and Topacio remain unclear, the incident forms part of a larger pattern of recent violent acts and intimidation against those who defend their right to life and territory. 

Out of the ongoing repression and criminalization of peaceful communities, resistances across Guatemala have united to denounce the reality in which they live and demand respect for their human rights.

Communities in Resistance from San Juan Sacatepéquez, San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc, San Rafael Las Flores and Mataquescuintala, the Xinca Parliament, Communities of Monte Olivo, the Coordination and National Convergence Maya Waqib’Kej and the Indigenous, Peasant and Popular March express that:

The current government headed by President of the Republic Otto Pérez Molina has increased violence in order to comply with commitments made with the oligarchy and transnational companies. The acts of terror, repression and criminalization during his administration can only be compared to the military violence enacted during the counterinsurgency war against our people. Said repression is directed toward pacific social struggles that indigenous peoples and social organizations maintain in defense of territory.

This policy serves the diverse interests of transnational companies behind the mining extractive industry, hydroelectric dams and monoculture crops. This past year, community leaders, women, men, youth, small children, and social leaders have been subject to many human rights violations, including states of siege, provocations, intimidations, threats, legal persecutions, illegal detentions, abductions and even assassinations of community leaders.

In order to carry out this repression, the government has made available all state agencies to protect the interests of transnational companies, ignoring the first principle of its mandate which is to protect and guarantee life to the people of Guatemala, with the common good being its supreme goal.

Communities like Monte Olivo in Cobán, Alta Verapaz; Sierra de las Minas in El Estor, Izabal; San José del Golfo; San Pedro Ayampuc; San Rafael las Flores; Mataquescuintla; San Juan Sacatepéquez; San Miguel Ixtahuacán; Sipacapa, San Marcos; Santa Cruz Quiché; and Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango represent some of the communities that are persecuted and attacked.

The 12 communities of San Juan Sacatepéquez, since 2006, continue their strong struggle in defense of territory against the arrival of the cement company in their communities without their consent, as indicated by law. The company, [Cementos Progresos], threatens to construct a highway to connect the cement factory to the InterAmerican Highway….

The Xinca People have been subject to all human rights violations described above. In 2013, a state of siege was established in the department of Jalapa, affecting the indigenous communities of Santa María Xalapan and Mataquescuintla, and the municipalities of Casillas and San Rafael las Flores in the department of Santa Rosa. This type of measure, similar to those in Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango and San Juan Sacatepéquez, demonstrates diverse human rights violations to men, women and children….

San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc, last March 2, commemorated the second anniversary of the “La Puya” peaceful opposition, an example of resistance, struggle and love in search of the defense of water, life and territory.

Recently, the La Puya peaceful resistance was subject to new attacks and confrontations by the mining company, with intimidations and under the protective arm of the National Civil Police (PNC).  The community members, who have exercised their legitimate right to pacific social protest in defense of territory, continue to fear eviction by the PNC….

The community “Ninth of February” in the region of Monte Olivo in Cobán, Alta Verapaz, this past April 8, was witness to a new attack on community leaders by large-scale farmer Sandino Ponce and his armed security guard, who wounded five men, one boy and a pregnant woman….

The Campesino Unity Committee (CUC) has suffered a series of attacks that total 44 assassinations amongst members of its organization between 2000 and 2014. Since 2011, assassinations, threats, forced evictions, criminalization, detentions and imprisonment have increased. Smear campaigns, defamation and slander join these techniques that try to delegitimize 36 years of struggle….

Before this reality of repression in which each of the above-mentioned communities lives, we DEMAND:

That the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, the High Commissioner’s Human Rights Office, CICIG, including the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of American States, speak out and demand of the Guatemalan state that it fulfill its obligation to guarantee the right to life, physical integrity and other fundamental rights to the Guatemalan people, before this new repressive attack by clandestine groups and private security companies that generate abductions, death threats, assassinations, threats and intimidations against our communities.

That the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office monitor, accompany and protect the physical integrity and life of the families that find themselves threatened and persecuted, and also protect human rights defenders and those who defend Mother Earth.

That the government of Guatemala immediately withdraw National Army forces from the communities in resistance, we especially demand withdrawal from Santa Maria Xalapan and San Juan Sacatepéquez.

The closure of extractive industry companies and the termination of turning over national territory to the hands of transnational companies.

That international human rights organizations, indigenous organizations, peasant organizations, women’s organizations, unions and solidarity groups not be surprised by defamation campaigns and slander. These campaign principally aim to criminalize communities and organizations in order to delegitimize them and facilitate their criminal prosecution.

In these moments, in which we are once again living massacres, abductions, assassinations, states of prevention and states of siege, similar to wartime but with elements of criminalization and criminal prosecution, we demand launching a visibilization campaign of what happens in our country and more importantly, a campaign of permanent solidarity.

12 Communities in Resistance from San Juan Sacatepéquez

Communities in Resistance from San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc

Xinca Parliament

Indigenous, Peasant and Popular March

Coordination and National Convergence Maya Waqib’Kej

Stand in solidarity with the peaceful resistance at La Puya, which was threatened by heavy machinery and riot police last week and continues to fear eviction.

Urgent Action from La Puya: Call for an End to Police Intimidation and Eviction Threats

The National Police, at the service of US mining company Kappes Cassiday and Associates (KCA), have been carrying out acts of intimidation and threatening eviction against communities in resistance at La Puya, just north of Guatemala City. Early April 9, a local company contracted by KCA, Transmac S.A., arrived at the mine site with heavy machinery, and with a National Civil Police (PNC) escort as ordered by the Ministry of the Interior. By mid-day, Transmac was forced to remove the machinery from the area. However, two representatives of KCA’s local subsidiary, EXMINGUA, remained throughout the day. The police presence also stayed and increased. By 2 pm, there were roughly 300 agents, many of whom were women dressed in full riot gear, lined up outside the entrance to the peaceful encampment.

The massive police presence, particularly the presence of female agents, gave the impression that an eviction attempt was imminent. Hundreds of people gathered at La Puya spent the afternoon under intense pressure and fear. While an arrest warrant was never emitted and the PNC made no attempt to remove the encampment, there is a clear intent to intimidate and provoke confrontation with the population in peaceful resistance.

The communities opposing KCA's El Tambor gold mine have made clear that their actions are focused on stopping a project that will destroy their lives and livelihoods. They are not blocking the public road or impeding free transit. The communities maintain their willingness to dialogue with the government.

Excessive police presence continues in areas surrounding La Puya and there is concern that a violent eviction will be attempted in the near future.

Take Action!

Call and email Kappes Cassiday and Associates CEO, Dan Kappes, and the Ministry of the Interior in Guatemala now:

• Express your concern for the safety of the men, women and children in peaceful resistance;
• Demand an end to intimidation and harassment by police and private security, and respect for human rights;
• Urge respect for the ongoing dialogue and No to eviction of La Puya. 

Kappes Cassiday and Associates
Dan Kappes - kca@kcareno.com
Ryan Adams – radams@kcareno.com
US Phone (775) 972- 7575


Ministry of the Interior
Minister Mauricio López Bonilla - fdeleon@mingob.gob.gt
Guatemala Phone (011) 502-2413-8888

Letter to the president expressing solidarity with San José Nacahuil

On September 7, six unknown men shot and killed eleven in San José Nacahuil, in the municipality of San Pedro Ayampuc. Today, NISGUA submitted a letter, signed by over a dozen international organizations, to President Otto Pérez Molina to express our solidarity with the community of San José Nacahuil and to call for a thorough and impartial investigation of this crime. Read the full letter below.

September 20, 2013

Dear President Otto Pérez Molina,

The undersigned organizations express our condolences to the community of San José Nacahuil and to the families of those who lost loved ones this past Saturday, September 7th. In solidarity with them, we call on the Guatemalan government to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the deadly attack, especially into allegations of police involvement.

On September 7 at 11 pm, 24 people were shot by unknown men in the town of San José Nacahuil in the municipality of San Pedro Ayampuc, just north of Guatemala City. Eleven of the victims died at the scene.

Minister of the Interior Lopez Bonilla immediately blamed the attack on gangs and placed the community under the control of a special contingent of police and soldiers. However, relatives of those killed suspect that the police may have facilitated the crime, or even carried it out. According to various reports, police arrived 20-30 minutes before the shooting, stopping at a few businesses demanding bribes. Community members also claim that the killers followed the same route through town on their killing spree that the police had taken minutes earlier. The Vice Minister of the Interior, however, immediately dismissed the possibility of police involvement.

Community authorities of San José Nacahuil, as well as other indigenous and grassroots organizations, criticized Bonilla for attributing the crime to gangs without first investigating. Further, they demanded that the police and military be removed from the community. Family members of the victims have also asked for an investigation into the police and their role in the shooting. 

San José Nacahuil is the only indigenous community in San Pedro Ayampuc. The population is made up of Maya Kaqchikel people, and the town has its own authorities, including a community police force. Residents expelled the national police six years ago, and local officials report a reduction in crime since that time.

Like many indigenous communities in Guatemala, the people of Nacahuil have suffered attempts to impose development projects without their free, prior and informed consent. In response, many residents of Nacahuil have participated in non-violent resistance, such as the ongoing peaceful road blockade at “La Puya” in the neighboring municipality of San José de Golfo. The blockade began in March of 2012 to prevent the construction of the El Tambor gold mine, which they fear will cause contamination and deplete scarce water resources. The mine is currently operated by Kappes, Cassidy & Associates (KCA) based in Reno, Nevada, which acquired the project from Vancouver-based Radius Gold in August 2012. 

In other struggles against mega-development projects in Guatemala, including Tahoe Resources’ Escobal silver mine in San Rafael las Flores and Hidralia Energia’s hydroelectric dam in Santa Cruz Barillas, violence was used as a pretext by the government to declare a state of siege, which suspends constitutional rights. In both instances, the government then ordered the arrest of resistance movement leaders.

Members of La Puya signaled concern in the days leading up to the attack regarding increased police presence, including agents not assigned to local stations. In the past, the police have been used to try to intimidate and disburse groups involved in peaceful protest. In December of last year, police wielding tear gas arrested four protesters. All were released the same day due to a lack of evidence of any illegal activity.

We express our condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones and to the community of San José Nacahuil. We call on the Guatemalan government to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into Saturday’s deadly attack, especially into allegations of police involvement, with the assistance of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala. 

Further, we demand that the rights of the residents of Nacahuil and the surrounding region be respected, including their rights to life, security, and freedom of expression. Nacahuil has maintained effective security in their own community, and we ask the government to respect their call to withdraw members of the police and military. Finally, we call on the government to respect the rights to protest and to free, prior and informed consent over mega-projects that may affect their lives and lands.

Breaking the Silence, Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network - LACSN, MiningWatch Canada, Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network, Horizons of Friendship, Global Exchange, SalvAide, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), Social Justice Committee of Montreal, Projet Accompagnement Québec-Guatemala (PAQG), Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, Guatemala Human Rights Commission, OPSEU Social Justice Fund, Oxfam

Carta al presidente expresando solidaridad con San José Nacahuil

El 7 de septiembre, seis hombres desconocidos dispararon y mataron a once miembros de la comunidad de San José Nacahuil, en la municipalidad de San Pedro Ayampuc. El día de hoy, NISGUA entregó una carta, firmada por organizaciones internacionales, al Presidente Otto Pérez Molina para expresar nuestra solidaridad con San José Nacahuil y para exigir una investigación exhaustiva e imparcial sobre los acontecimientos. Leer la carta entera aquí.

20 de septiembre de 2013

Estimado Presidente Otto Pérez Molina:

Las organizaciones abajo firmantes expresamos nuestras condolencias a la comunidad de San José Nacahuil y a las familias que perdieron a sus seres queridos el sábado 7 de septiembre. En solidaridad con ellos, llamamos al gobierno guatemalteco a realizar una investigación exhaustiva e imparcial sobre este hecho de violencia, especialmente sobre las acusaciones de participación de agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC).

El 7 de septiembre alrededor de las 23 horas, 24 personas fueron atacadas a balazos por hombres desconocidos en la aldea San José Nacahuil de San Pedro Ayampuc, al norte de la Ciudad de Guatemala, el saldo del ataque fue de once  personas muertas y trece heridas, entre ellas menores de edad.

El ministro de Gobernación Mauricio López Bonilla, de manera inmediata, culpó a las  maras del ataque y puso a la comunidad bajo el control de un contingente especial de policías y soldados. Sin embargo, familiares de las víctimas señalan a la policía de haber facilitado  y/o participado en el ataque. Según varios informes, la policía llegó 20 ó 30 minutos antes de la masacre exigiendo el pago de un soborno a un comerciante. Miembros de la comunidad también afirman que los asesinos siguieron la misma ruta a través de la aldea,   que la policía había tomado minutos antes. El ministro de Gobernación, no obstante, inmediatamente desestimó la posibilidad de involucramiento policial.
 
Autoridades comunitarias de San José Nacahuil, así como otras organizaciones indígenas y sociales criticaron a López Bonilla por atribuir el delito a las  maras sin primero investigar. Además, exigieron que la policía y el ejército fueran retirados de la comunidad. Familiares de las víctimas también han pedido una investigación sobre la policía y su rol en  la masacre.

San José Nacahuil es la única comunidad indígena en San Pedro Ayampuc. La población está conformada por  pueblo Maya Kaqchikel y la aldea tiene sus propias autoridades y sus propias formas de seguridad comunitaria. Residentes expulsaron a la Policía Nacional Civil hace seis años y  datos oficiales registran una reducción en delitos desde aquel tiempo.

Como muchas comunidades indígenas en Guatemala, el pueblo de Nacahuil ha sufrido intentos de imponer proyectos de desarrollo sin su consentimiento libre, previo e informado. En respuesta, muchos residentes de Nacahuil han participado en la resistencia no violenta, como el actual bloqueo pacífico en “La Puya” en el vecino municipio de San José de Golfo. El bloqueo se inició en marzo de 2012 para prevenir la construcción de la mina de oro El Tambor, que ellos temen cause contaminación y disminuya sus escasos recursos hídricos. En la actualidad, la mina es propiedad de  Kappes, Cassidy & Associates (KCA), cuya sede se encuentra en Reno, Nevada, la cual adquirió el proyecto a la  empresa canadiense Radius Gold en agosto de 2012.

En otras luchas en contra de mega proyectos  en Guatemala, entre ellas,  la mina de plata  Tahoe Resources en San Rafael las Flores y la hidroeléctrica Hidralia Energia en Santa Cruz Barillas, el gobierno ha aprovechado situaciones de conflicto y violencia para justificar la implementación de estados de sitito,  con lo cual suspende derechos constitucionales. En  ambos casos  el gobierno luego ordenó la detención de líderes comunitarios que participaron en la resistencia a los mega proyectos. 

Días antes del ataque en Nacahuil, miembros de La Puya señalaron preocupación por la presencia exagerada de policía, incluso agentes sin asignación a las estaciones locales. En el pasado, la policía ha sido usada para atentar,  intimidar y reprimir a grupos involucrados en protestas pacíficas. En diciembre del año pasado, policías empuñando gases lacrimógenos detuvieron a cuatro manifestantes de La Puya que luego fueron puestos en libertad  por  falta de pruebas.

Reiteramos nuestras condolencias a las familias  que han perdido a sus seres queridos y a la comunidad de San José Nacahuil. Llamamos al gobierno guatemalteco para realizar una investigación exhaustiva e imparcial sobre  la masacre. Debido a los señalamientos de los comunitarios de la participación de elementos de la PNC, pedimos la participación de la Comisión Internacional Contra la Impunidad en Guatemala (CICIG) en la investigación. 

Además, exigimos que los derechos de los residentes de Nacahuil y de la región circundante sean respetados, incluidos  sus derechos a la vida, la seguridad y la libertad de expresión. Nacahuil ha mantenido una seguridad interna efectiva en su  comunidad. Pedimos al gobierno que respete la voluntad de las autoridades locales y la comunidad y no imponer un esquema de seguridad ajeno, por ejemplo, una subestación de la PNC o un destacamento militar sin su consentimiento. Finalmente, llamamos al gobierno a respetar el derecho de la libre determinación de la comunidad a decidir sobre los mega proyectos que afecten sus vidas y su territorio.

Breaking the Silence, Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network - LACSN, MiningWatch Canada, Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network, Horizons of Friendship, Global Exchange, SalvAide, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), Social Justice Committee of Montreal, Projet Accompagnement Québec-Guatemala (PAQG), Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America, Guatemala Human Rights Commission, OPSEU Social Justice Fund, Oxfam

Organizaciones indígenas guatemaltecas denuncian al estado por la ley minera ante la CIDH

Fuente: Consejo del Pueblo Maya de Occidente (CPO) – Red en Solidaridad con el Pueblo de Guatemala (NISGUA) – Alerta Minera Canadá – Centro para el Derecho Ambiental Internacional (CIEL)



(Ciudad de Guatemala/Ottawa/Washington) Martes, el Consejo del Pueblo Maya de Occidente (CPO) de Guatemala presentó una demanda ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH), alegando que se aprobó la ley minera sin consulta previa tal como se requiere bajo la ley nacional e internacional. El CPO recurre a la CIDH debido a que ha agotado todos los canales disponibles a nivel nacional para poner alto a las violaciones resultando a raíz de la actual ley minera.

El CPO cuestionó la constitucionalidad de la ley minera de 1997 por primera vez en una demanda interpuesta ante la Corte de Constitucionalidad de Guatemala en julio de 2012. Sin embargo, en marzo de 2013, la Corte de Constitucionalidad falló a favor de la vigencia de la ley minera, contraviniendo las obligaciones legales que tiene Guatemala de consultar la población indígena antes de aprobar políticas que podrían afectar sus territorios de forma significativa.

“Creemos que la decisión de la Corte de Constitucionalidad es ilegal y contradictoria, dado que la misma corte decretó en 2011 que la consulta es un derecho constitucional de los pueblos indígenas de Guatemala. La ley de minería no fue consultado con los pueblos indígenas a pesar que es una medida legislativa susceptible de afectar nuestra forma de vida y que el estado de Guatemala se comprometió de cumplir al ratificar instrumentos internacional de derechos colectivos de pueblos indígenas como el convenio 169”, dijo Lucia Xiloj, abogada y miembro del equipo legal del CPO.


Con más de 360 licencias otorgadas y más de 600 pendientes, el sector minero en Guatemala ha dado lugar al aumento del conflicto y la violencia en diversas partes del país. Al raíz de estos conflictos está la falta de respeto para el consentimiento libre, previo e informado de las comunidades afectadas por los proyectos y las políticas mineras.

Desde 2005, casi un millón de personas han votado en contra de la minería en sus territorios en 78 consultas comunitarias realizadas en el país. Además, una encuesta libre publicada en enero de 2013 demostró que 66% de guatemaltecos rechazan la actividad minera. Sin embargo, ni el gobierno ni las empresas mineras han respetado las decisiones comunitarias; al contrario, se ha intensificado la represión contra quienes se oponen a la minería.

“El conflicto, que tiene a su raíz la violación del derecho a la consulta, ha resultado en ataques violentos y muertos, y la criminalización y persecución de líderes comunitarios”,  dijo Lolita Chávez, miembro del CPO y firmante de la denuncia ante la CIDH.



Bajo el Acuerdo Sobre Identidad y Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas en los Acuerdos de Paz de Guatemala, la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, el Convenio No. 169 de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo, y la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, Guatemala está obligada a respetar el derecho de los pueblos indígenas al consentimiento libre, previo e informado sobre cualquier proyecto que podría impactarles de una forma adversa, y de consultarlos antes de aprobar leyes o iniciativas administrativas que afectarían sus derechos. 

“Una respuesta favorable de la Comisión Interamericana a este caso es de gran importancia, dado que la actual ley minera ha permitido que empresas mineras, de los Estados Unidos y Canadá en particular, explotan los territorios indígenas con una falta de consideración total para la toma de decisiones de los pueblos indígenas sobre sus territorios y recursos naturales”, dijo Kris Genovese, abogada del Centro para el Derecho Ambiental Internacional en Washington D.C.

El Consejo del Pueblo Maya del Occidente es una coalición de autoridades indígenas e instituciones de siete departamentos de Guatemala. La denuncia puesto ante la CIDH tiene 32 firmantes en representación de 8 pueblos indígenas que conforman el Consejo del Pueblo Maya del Occidente. Cada firmante fue elegido durante asambleas comunitarias llevado a cabo antes de sentar la denuncia.

Contactos
Ellen Moore, NISGUA, ellen(at)nisgua.org, (510) 868-0612
Jen Moore, MiningWatch Canada, jen(at)miningwatch.ca, (613) 569-3439
Amanda Kistler, Centro para el Derecho Ambiental Internacional, akistler(at)ciel.org, (202) 742-5832

Antecedentes

En mayo, se mandó el ejército a las comunidades indígenas y no-indígenas por el proyecto Escobal de Tahoe Resources, un proyecto minero de plata al sur de la Ciudad de Guatemala, después de un aumento en la violencia en la zona, lo que incluyó el disparar por parte del equipo de seguridad de la mina en contra de un grupo manifestando de forma pacífica en frente del proyecto. El gerente de seguridad de la empresa y su asesor están actualmente enjuiciados y esperando una audiencia sobre su presunto involucramiento en ordenar y después encubrir evidencia sobre el ataque.

Tahoe Resources es un empresa estrechamente relacionado a la Goldcorp, la cual vendió el proyecto Escobal a Tahoe en 2010 y que actualmente posee 40% de sus acciones y con múltiples puestos en su junta directiva. La mina Marlin de Goldcorp en el noroeste de Guatemala ha sido una fuente de tensiones continuas por falta de respeto a los derechos y las tierras indígenas, y por impactos sobre las fuentes de agua y la salud pública.

Durante casi un año y medio, los pobladores en La Puya, inmediatamente al norte de la Ciudad de Guatemala, han sostenido un bloqueo pacífico en la entrada del proyecto minero Tambor. Este proyecto se encuentra actualmente en manos de Kappes Cassidy & Associates, que adquirió el proyecto de Radius Gold, con sede en Vancouver, en agosto de 2012, después del atento contra de Yolanda Oquelí. Quienes se oponen al proyecto han sufrido amenazas repetidas por parte de los empleados de la empresa durante los últimos diez meses, a pesar de haber entrado en un diálogo de alto nivel con el gobierno en junio.

En agosto, Derechos en Acción reportó que un grupo de mujeres en la municipalidad de El Estor están enfrentando intimidación y hostigamiento por su participación en llevar tres demandas en contra de Hudbay Minerals, con sede en Toronto. Las demandas refieren a la violación sexual de un grupo de once mujeres durante un desalojo forzoso en 2007, y el asesinato a tiros en 2009 de Adolfo Ich Chamán y paralisis de German Choc. Se está litigando el caso en una corte de la provincia de Ontario, Canadá y marcan la primera vez que las cortes canadienses admiten un caso en contra de una empresa matriz por presuntos abusos por parte de su empresa filial en la extranjera.

Comunicado del CPO: El Consejo de los Pueblos Mayas y Xinca, denuncian al estado de Guatemala ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos


Porque la Corte de Constitucionalidad, mediante sentencia emitida el 28 de febrero de 2013, resolvió sin lugar la acción de inconstitucionalidad planteada en contra de la Ley de Minería el 12 de marzo de 2012.



Dicha sentencia incurrió al Estado de Guatemala en responsabilidad internacional al dejar vigente la Ley de Minería; no obstante la obligación internacional del Estado de garantizar el ejercicio efectivo de nuestros derechos políticos de participación, consulta y consentimiento en materia legislativa.



Los derechos humanos colectivos e individuales que han sido violentados por el Estado de Guatemala incluyen:



a. Derechos políticos ―derechos de participación, consulta y consentimiento―, reconocidos en el artículo 23.1.a de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos (la Convención).


b. Derecho de igualdad ante la ley, reconocido en el artículo 24 de la Convención.


c. Derecho a las garantías judiciales y protección judicial ―derecho de acceso a la justicia―, reconocido en los artículos 8.1 y 25.1 de la Convención. En relación con los artículos 1.1 y 2 de la Convención.



Con base en la descripción de hechos y la enunciación de los derechos violentados, ante la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos solicitamos:



a. Que proceda al análisis de nuestro caso y que requiera al Estado de Guatemala las observaciones pertinentes.


b. Que emita el respectivo informe de admisibilidad.


c. Que determine la responsabilidad del Estado de Guatemala como violador de los artículos 23.1.a, 24, 8.1 y 25.1, en relación con los artículos 1.1 y 2 de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, a través de la emisión de un informe de fondo.

Guatemalan Indigenous Organizations File Complaint over Mining Law with Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Sources: Western Peoples' Council (CPO) - Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) - MiningWatch Canada – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

(Guatemala City/Ottawa/Washington) Tuesday, Guatemala's Western Peoples' Council of Mayan organizations (CPO) filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) alleging that the country’s mining law was approved without their prior consultation as required under both national and international law. The IACHR is the last resort for the CPO, which has exhausted all domestic recourse to halt violations as a result of current mining legislation.



The CPO first challenged the constitutionality of the 1997 Mining Law in a July 2012 suit filed with Guatemala’s Constitutional Court. In March 2013, however, the Constitutional Court upheld the mining law, contradicting Guatemala's legal obligations to consult with indigenous peoples before the approval of policies that will significantly impact their territories.

“We believe that Constitutional Court’s decision is illegal and contradictory, given that the same court ruled in 2011 that consultation is a constitutional right of indigenous peoples in Guatemala. Indigenous peoples were not consulted on the Mining Law despite its implications for our way of life and the state’s commitment to respect the collective rights of indigenous people under international legal instruments such as the International Labour Organization’s Convention 169,” said Lucia Xiloj, attorney and member of the CPO legal team.



With over 360 mining licenses issued and more than 600 pending, Guatemala’s mining sector has been in the spotlight for increasing conflict and violence across the country. At the root of these conflicts is the lack of respect for free, prior and informed consent of affected communities at the project and policy level.



Nearly a million people have voted against mining on their territories in 78 community referenda held throughout Guatemala since 2005. A public opinion survey published in January 2013 further demonstrated that some 66% of Guatemalans are opposed to mining. Nonetheless, neither the government nor the mining companies have respected community decisions; instead repression against those opposed to mining has intensified.

“The conflict, which has at its root the violation of the right to consultation, has resulted in targeted attacks and death, as well as the criminalization and persecution of community leaders,” said Lolita Chavez, member of the CPO and a signatory on the IACHR complaint.



According to the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala’s Peace Accords, the American Convention on Human Rights, the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Guatemala is obliged to respect the right of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent for any project that could adversely impact them, and to consult with them before passing laws or administrative initiatives that would affect their rights.
 


“A favorable response from the Inter-American Commission on this case is vitally important, given that the current mining law has allowed Canadian and U.S. mining companies in particular to exploit indigenous territories with complete disregard for indigenous peoples' decision-making processes regarding their lands and resources,” said Kris Genovese, Senior Attorney with the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington D.C.



The Western People’s Council is a coalition of indigenous authorities and institutions from seven departments of Guatemala. The complaint filed in the IACHR has 32 signatories representing 8 indigenous groups that make up the Western Peoples’ Council. Each signatory was elected during community assemblies carried out during the weeks leading up to the filing.
 


Contacts

• Ellen Moore, NISGUA, ellen(at)nisgua.org, (510) 868-0612
• Jen Moore, MiningWatch Canada, jen(at)miningwatch.ca, (613) 569-3439 
• Amanda Kistler, Center for International Environmental Law, akistler(at)ciel.org, (202) 742-5832

Background 



In May, the military was sent into indigenous and non-indigenous communities in the area of Tahoe Resources’ Escobal silver project south of Guatemala City, following increased violence in the region, including a shooting against protesters demonstrating peacefully outside the mine site. The company’s head of security and his advisor are currently awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in ordering and then covering up evidence of the attack.



Tahoe Resources is a spin-off from Goldcorp, which sold the Escobal project to Tahoe in 2010 and which now holds 40% of Tahoe’s shares and multiple positions on its board of directors. Goldcorp’s Marlin mine in the northwestern highlands of Guatemala has been the source of continuing tensions over lack of respect for indigenous rights and land, and impacts on water supplies and public health.



For nearly a year and a half, community members in La Puya, just north of Guatemala City, have been peacefully blocking entry to the Tambor mine project currently in the hands of Kappes Cassidy & Associates, which took over the project from Vancouver-based Radius Gold in August 2012 following the shooting of Yolanda Oquelí. Community members opposing the project have faced repeated threats from company workers during the last ten months, despite entering into a high-level dialogue with the government in June.



In August, Rights Action reported that female plaintiffs are facing intimidation and harassment for having brought three lawsuits against Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals regarding the gang rape of a group of women during a forced eviction in 2007 and shootings in 2009 in the eastern municipality of El Estor. The lawsuits are taking place in an Ontario court and mark the first time that alleged human rights abuses regarding a foreign-owned subsidiary have been admitted against a parent company in Canada.


CPO Communiqué: The Council of Maya and Xinca Peoples Denounces the Guatemala State in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

On February 28, 2013, the Guatemalan Constitutional Court dismissed the Council’s challenge of unconstitutionality filed against the mining law on March 12, 2012. 

As a result of leaving the current Mining Law in force, the State of Guatemala violates its responsibilities under international law, under which it is obliged to guarantee the effective exercise of our rights to political participation, consultation and consent regarding such legislation.

The collective and individual human rights that have been violated by the State of Guatemala are:

a.    Political Rights – the rights to participation, consultation and consent as recognized in article 23.1 of the American Convention on Human Rights (The Convention).
b.    Right to equality under the law as recognized in article 24 of the Convention.
c.    Right to legal guarantees and judicial protection – right to access to justice – as per articles 8.1 and 25.1 of the Convention, in relation to articles 1.1 and 2 of the Convention.

Based on the description of the facts and declaration of the rights that have been violated; we request that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights:

a.    Proceed with the analysis of our case and request the relevant observations from the state of Guatemala;
b.    Emit the pertinent report regarding admissibility of the case;
c.    Determine the responsibility of the state of Guatemala for violation of articles 23.1.a., 24, 8.1, and 25.1, related to articles 1.1 y 2 of the Convention through the elaboration of an in-depth report.

Urgent communique denouncing assassination of Santos Fidel Ajau Suret, member of La Puya encampment

On Tuesday, July 9, Santos Fidel Ajau Suret, a member of the ongoing peaceful resistance at La Puya, was assassinated. The MadreSelva Collective released the following communique denouncing his assassination. Translation by NISGUA, in Spanish here. 

Urgent Communique
We denounce the cowardly assassination of Santos Fidel Ajau Suret, activist of La Puya encampment

Santo Fidel Ajau Suret, 54 years old, member of the community of San Antonio El Ángel and activist at the La Puya encampment, was the victim of a cowardly assassination on Tuesday, July 9, while on his way home.

We reject this vile murder, carried out at 5:15 PM by two men driving motorcycles on the dirt road that connects San Jose del Golfo to the community of San Antonio El Ángel. Mr. Fidel was shot three times in the back followed by two coup de grace.

We also denounce that on the same night, July 9, unknown men fired gunshots outside the home of Yolando Oquelí in San José del Golfo.

The modus operandi of this murder is similar to the previous attempt on the life of Yolanda Oquelí in June of last year. This past Sunday, Santos Ajau received threats from people known to have participated in acts of harassment organized by the mining company. Throughout the month of June and continuing until now, the resistance at the La Puya encampment has been subject to harassments and threats, including gunshots.

The community members of San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc oppose the installation of the mining project Progreso VII Derivada, authorized by the Ministry of Energy and Mines without the consent of impacted communities. The mining project is the property of the US. company Kappes Cassiday & Associates (KCA). The investors in this project have launched a campaign of harassment and threats against the lives of members of La Puya resistance, contracting ex-military who were active during the internal armed conflict. This is the case of retired military personnel Pablo Silas Orozco who led the aggressions against activists at La Puya. Orozco has been criminally charged for threats against members of the press who were physically and verbally accosted by Orozco during November of last year.

The communities that form the resistance at La Puya are participating in preliminary meetings with the maximum authorities of the country, including President Otto Pérez Molina and the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources to demand the cancellation of the Progresso VII Derivada mining project. To the above-mentioned authorities: we demand the immediate cancellation of mining and hydroelectric licenses granted to companies that have carried out criminal actions against the population. An example of which are the cases of Ecoener Hidralia Energia – Hidro Santa Cruz in Huehuetenango, Mina San Rafael – Tahoe Resources in Santa Rosa and Kappes Cassiday & Associates – KCA.

Stop the assassination of those defending life and territory!

We demand a thorough investigation into the vile assassination of Santos Fidel Ajau Suret!

The government of Pérez Molina must cancel the licenses for extractive industries companies that have carried out criminal actions against the Guatemalan people!


Yes to life, No to mining!

Members of La Puya resistance meet with President Otto Pérez Molina

Yolanda Oquelí (foreground) meets with Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina and
Minister of The Interior Mauricio Lopez Bonilla. Photo: Giles Clarke

In an uncharacteristic move, President Otto Pérez Molina and the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) invited members of the peaceful resistance of La Puya to a high level meeting last week to explain their ongoing opposition to the El Tambor (Progresso VII) gold mine located in the municipalities of San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc. Community members have maintained a constant presence at the entrance of the mine site for the past 15 months.

In the hours long meeting, community representatives explained the reasons for the resistance highlighting the lack of consultation and serious flaws in the Environmental Impact Assessment, as demonstrated in the analysis conducted earlier this year. Leader of the resistance, Yolanda Oquelí described the meeting stating: "This isn't a quick fix or a negotiation. We came at the invitation of the president and the minister of Energy and Mines because they wanted to know why we oppose the mining project." According to an article published on the MEM website, the authorities insisted on the environmental and economic viability of the project and offered to carry out a physical inspection of the mine installations with the participation of relevant local organizations.

Also invited to the high level meeting were representatives from the US company behind the project, Kappes Cassiday & Associates, their legal council, which also represents Canadian mining giant that owns Guatemala's Marlin Mine, GoldCrop, and principle investors in the project. However, at the request of the representatives from La Puya, KCA's meeting with the president was held separately. La Puya maintains firm that their concerns and demands are with the Guatemalan government, and not the private company.

A supporter holds a sign saying "I peacefully resist" outside the presidential palace.
Photo: CPR Urbana

While just 10 representatives were allowed inside the meeting, scores of community members and supporters of the peaceful resistance gathered outside the Presidential Palace. At the request of La Puya resistance, the Independent Media Center (CMI) gained access to the meeting in order to film the proceedings from within. 

A boy watches footage of the presidential meeting in La Puya. Photo: NISGUA

On Sunday, June 16, the resistance at large gathered at La Puya to watch the footage from Wednesday's meeting. A community assembly is pending to discuss the meeting and to make a decision surrounding next steps moving forward. In the assembly on Sunday, the La Puya representatives recognized that there struggle has been hard and exhausting, but reaffirmed that after 15 months in resistance they have no intention of stopping now.