Norwegian Fund Divests from Tahoe Resources, Canadian and U.S. Investors Urged to Follow Suit

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

(Ottawa/Guatemala) North American shareholders in Tahoe Resources should follow the Norway's Council on Ethics’s lead and divest say Canadian and U.S. organizations. They urge Canadian and U.S. investors to make use of a report published last week that recommends the exclusion of Tahoe Resources from the from the Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) portfolio due to “unacceptable risk of the company contributing to serious human rights violations through its operation” at the Escobal silver mine in southeastern Guatemala.

After considerable investigation, including communications with Tahoe Resources and information gathered from diverse sources such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Guatemala, the Nowegian Council determined that the project poses a high level of risk given insufficient consultation processes, considerable resistance to the mine, inadequate measures to avoid human and Indigenous rights abuses and militarization of the area. 

“With this report in hand, it should be a no brainer for U.S. and Canadian investors to drop their shares in this company whose operations represent a tremendous risk to the lives and wellbeing of thousands of residents in communities in San Rafael Las Flores and area,” remarks Jen Moore Latin America Program Coordinator at MiningWatch Canada. 

The Council did not believe Tahoe’s claims that the apparent calm around the Escobal mine is a sign of support for the mine. The report reads: “…the company's statement that the situation in and around SRLF is now more peaceful than in the months preceding the state of emergency [in May 2013] is probably correct. As the Council understands it, this is due to the militarization occasioned by the conflict.” The Council attributes militarization with breaking up organized resistance and a temporary stoppage of local consultation processes.

“Even before the military state of siege was imposed on municipalities, military presence and repressive tactics were ramped up, in part due to a so-called ‘development’ office in San Rafael Las Flores with backing from Tahoe and oversight from a military colonel. It is encouraging that the Norwegian Council on Ethics recognizes that what has been growing in the area is fear, not support for this project,” comments Ellen Moore from the Network for Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA). 

Before the state of siege, communities in the area held fourteen referenda, in which tens of thousands of people in the six municipalities closest to the project voted against the Escobal mine given their concerns over current and potential environmental and social impacts. A pilot project in San Rafael Las Flores overseen by the National Security Commission and referred to as the “Inter-institutional Group on Mining Affairs” was initiated in March 2013. As well, since the siege, a permanent military presence has been established in the area.

The Council also found that Tahoe failed to take adequate steps to prevent further abuses after private security guards shot at peaceful protesters outside the mine gate on April 27, 2013. Two separate lawsuits against Tahoe’s then head of security and the company in connection with this incident are ongoing in Guatemala and Canada respectively. Overall, the Council finds that Tahoe's policies and training standards are not enough to guarantee that the company will not continue contributing to human rights violations. 

The Canadian Pension Plan most recently reported that as of March 31, 2014 it holds $49 million CAD worth of shares in Tahoe Resources. As of 2013, U.S. based TIAA-CREF, considered to be a socially responsible financial services company specializing in the needs of the non-profit and education sector, held some $5 million USD worth of shares.

Online letters can be sent calling on the CPPIB to divest here and to the TIAA-CREF here. A new map illustrates the relationship between company holdings and affected communities.

Contacts:
Jen Moore, MiningWatch Canada, jen(at)miningwatch.ca, (613) 569-3439
Ellen Moore, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), ellen(at)nisgua.org, (510) 763-1403

See a backgrounder on Tahoe Resources for more information. 

Tahoe Resources’ former security manager to be tried in Guatemalan court

Source: Center for Environmental, Social and Legal Action (CALAS) - MiningWatch Canada - Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA)

(Guatemala City/Ottawa) On Wednesday, a Guatemalan judge decided that Tahoe’s former security manager, Alberto Rotondo, should stand trial for his role in a shooting attack on peaceful protesters in April of last year.

On April 27, 2013, Tahoe Resources’ private security opened fire on peaceful protesters outside the Escobal mine, the company’s only project, in the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores in southeastern Guatemala. Rotondo, Tahoe’s then head of security and an ex-military officer from Peru, was arrested at Guatemala’s international airport and charged with allegedly having ordered the attack.

Alberto Rotondo to stand trial

Yesterday, the judge ruled that Rotondo should stand trial on charges of causing serious and minor bodily harm to four of the seven men injured in the attack, as well as for obstruction of justice. If convicted, Rotondo could face up to 28 years in prison. The evidentiary hearing is scheduled for February 3, 2015.

“This decision sets an important precedent to the extent that it will allow the Public Prosecutor and the victims to demonstrate the premeditated and aggressive way in which Rotondo orchestrated the attack, as well as the responsibility of Guatemalan authorities in its planning and execution,” explained Rafael Maldonado, Director of the Center for Environmental, Social and Legal Action (CALAS).

Tahoe Resources’ Escobal silver project is the subject of broad local opposition and ongoing legal processes in Guatemala and Canada. In June 2014, the seven victims of the attack filed a civil suit in British Columbia against the company for its role in the April 2013 violence. The first major hearing in this case is scheduled for April 2015 regarding Tahoe's argument that the case should be heard in Guatemala instead of Canada.

“What we want is justice. Even though we know that this is difficult to achieve in Guatemala, we are confident that we will have an opportunity to demonstrate that Mr. Rotondo and the company are guilty,” stated Artemio Castillo, a victim of the attack and a co-plaintiff in both cases.

Foreshadowing the obstacles ahead toward achieving justice in Guatemala, the judge granted Rotondo house arrest, rejecting two separate instances in which the Public Prosecutor accused the ex Tahoe employee with being in contempt of court.

Maldonado commented on this unexpected decision saying, “Despite the favorable decision to send Rotondo to trial, the judge demonstrated partiality in this case by rejecting multiple requests from the victims and the Public Prosecutor to keep Rotondo in detention.”

Tahoe Resources Inc. is a silver exploration and development company that lists on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Reno, Nevada, USA. Goldcorp, a mining company with a lengthy history of human rights abuses at its Marlin Mine in northeastern Guatemala, holds 40% of Tahoe Resources shares and three seats on its board of directors.

For more information:
* Rafael Maldonado, Centre for Environmental and Social Legal Action (CALAS), rafamaldonado(at)calas.org.gt, (502) 5307-4250
* Jen Moore, MiningWatch Canada, jen(at)miningwatch.ca, (613) 569-3439
* Ellen Moore, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), ellen(at)nisgua.org, (502) 3027-7134

Photo credit to: Vea Canal/Panorama News

For more background, please visit tahoeontrial.net 

NISGUA has accompanied communities in opposition to the Tahoe Resources Escobal mine since 2011. 

Lawsuit Against Tahoe Resources a Wake Up Call for Investors and Canadians

Source:  MiningWatch Canada - Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) - Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network  

June 18, 2014

(Ottawa/Tatamagouche/Guatemala City) A civil lawsuit filed today in Vancouver against Tahoe Resources for negligence and battery in connection with a shooting at the company’s silver project in Guatemala sends a strong message to investors and all Canadians.

Victims and legal team in Guatemala. Photo: Giles Clarke

Seven victims of a shooting allegedly ordered by Tahoe Resources’ former head of security, Alberto Rotondo, are suing the company for punitive damages. Rotondo is an ex-naval officer from Peru who was indicted in Guatemala on charges related to this attack in May 2013. The Canadian lawsuit represents one of numerous abuses in connection with Tahoe's only asset, which was rushed into production in January 2014 despite strong community opposition.

Violence and repression has marked the development of Tahoe Resources’ Escobal silver project in southeast Guatemala.

“Repression against community leaders involved in organizing local referenda and peaceful protests in opposition to Tahoe’s mine dates back to 2011. Some 90 individuals have faced spurious legal persecution and, in May 2013, a military state of siege was declared in the area surrounding the mine creating a climate of fear and intimidation in order to quash local opposition,” observes Ellen Moore for the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA).

Tens of thousands have voted against mining in San Rafael Las Flores, where Tahoe currently operates, and in the immediately surrounding municipalities where the company hopes to carry out further exploration.

The widespread opposition is motivated by concerns over the current and future impacts of Tahoe’s operations on local water supplies, as well as community health and agricultural activities. Tahoe’s mine is only two kilometres from the central park in San Rafael Las Flores and mere metres from homes and livestock. 

“This is a company with a troubled history in Guatemala, which should be a cause of concern to Canadians and all investors,” remarks Jackie McVicar from the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network. “Tahoe Resources is a spin-off company from Vancouver-based Goldcorp, whose Marlin mine in Guatemala’s northwestern highlands has been a source of strife and ongoing Indigenous and human rights violations during the last decade.”

Goldcorp holds 40% of the shares in Tahoe Resources and six of the company’s eight Directors have past or current ties to the gold mining mammoth. Most Canadians are also invested in Tahoe Resources through the Canada Pension Plan, which reported holding CAD $49 million in shares as of March 31, 2014. 

Notably, when Guatemalans sued another Canadian mining company, HudBay Minerals, the company ended up selling off its Fénix nickel project to a Russian firm at a quarter of the price for which it had purchased it. The three lawsuits for the shooting murder of a land rights activist, gang rape of 11 Maya Q’eqchi’ women and shooting paralysis of a young man are ongoing in Ontario courts.

“The abuses for which Tahoe is being sued are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of rampant violations in connection with Canadian mining operations in Guatemala and across the region,” comments Jen Moore for MiningWatch Canada. “This lawsuit should alert Canadians to a much deeper problem with this industry that Canadian authorities are unconditionally promoting abroad.”

Contacts:

Ellen Moore, Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA), (011) 502 4141 1187, ellen(at)nisgua.org 
Jackie McVicar, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network, (902) 324-2584 btsguatemala(at)gmail.com
Jen Moore, MiningWatch Canada, (613) 569-3439, jen(at)miningwatch.ca 


BACKGROUND

Tahoe Resources’ Escobal silver project in the municipality of San Rafael Las Flores, southeastern Guatemala, is the subject of local opposition and ongoing legal processes against the validity of the exploitation licence. Community leaders have faced repression, criminalization and violence for their efforts to promote community consultation processes. Despite the conflict – or perhaps because of it – Tahoe has rushed to put the mine into operation even before establishing reliable mineral reserves. It reportedly brought its underground mine into operation in January 2014.

Tahoe lacks a social licence for the mine.

• To date, fourteen referenda have been held in which tens of thousands of people in the six municipalities closest to the project have voted against the Escobal mine given their concerns over current and potential environmental and social impacts.

The Escobal project has led to violence and criminalization.

• The company’s former security manager, an ex-military officer from Peru, Alberto Rotondo, is currently under arrest awaiting trial for allegedly ordering security guards to fire at protesters outside the mine on April 27, 2013. Seven victims of this attack are now bringing a civil lawsuit in British Columbia against Tahoe Resources for negligence and battery in connection with this incident.

• The Guatemalan government imposed a military state of emergency for a month after the shooting on April 27, 2013 in municipalities where people overwhelmingly voted against mining.

• In June 2012, Tahoe sued the Guatemalan government, demanding that it do more to protect the mine. A Guatemalan court dismissed the lawsuit in February 2013, mere months before the military siege was imposed.

• Since September 2012, some 90 people have been slapped with unfounded criminal charges and have had to endure legal processes causing them distress and hardship. Several spent months in jail before being cleared of all charges.

Guatemalan regulators failed to address residents’ complaints prior to granting Tahoe’s exploitation licence, putting the licence in doubt.

• The Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines dismissed some 250 formal community complaints without a proper hearing shortly before granting Tahoe's exploitation licence on April 3, 2013.

• In July 2013, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of a complaint and won, putting the validity of the licence in doubt. A final decision from Guatemala's Constitutional Court is expected soon.

Given its close relationship to Goldcorp, Tahoe knows better than to proceed without community consent and when its project has already given rise to violence and repression.

• Goldcorp holds 40% of Tahoe's shares.

• Six of eight of Tahoe’s Directors are current or former Goldcorp executives, including Tahoe founder and CEO, Kevin McArthur, who was CEO of Glamis Gold and Goldcorp until 2008.

• Goldcorp’s Marlin mine in Guatemala was also put into operation in the midst of widespread opposition and repression. As a result, it has been the subject of repeat international human rights declarations calling for suspension of the mine and raising concern over impacts on community health, the environment and right to self-determination of neighbouring Maya Indigenous communities.

• The Inter American Commission on Human Rights recently admitted a case against Indigenous and human rights violations at the Marlin mine.

Tahoe Resources Inc. is a silver exploration and development company that lists on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Reno, Nevada, USA. Escobal is its only project.

Asesinato de joven de 16 años – Continúa la violencia vinculada a mina canadiense; urgen al Fondo de Pensiones de Canadá desinvertir en Tahoe Resources

El 13 de abril del 2014 Topacio Reynoso, una joven guatemalteca de 16 años, fue asesinada cerca de su comunidad de Mataquescuintla, Guatemala, donde organizaba un grupo de jóvenes en contra de la minería. Su padre, que había liderado la organización de una consulta municipal sobre la mina, fue herido de bala en el mismo incidente y permanece hospitalizado en estado de gravedad. Este es el ejemplo más reciente de la violencia y represión asociadas con la empresa Tahoe Resources que cotiza en la bolsa canadiense.

El día de hoy, la organización Alerta Minera Canadá se comunica por escrito* con el Consejo de Inversiones del Fondo de Pensiones de Canadá (Canada Pension Plan Investment Board – CPPIB), urgiendo su desinversión en Tahoe Resources. Alerta Minera sostiene que la inversión es una apuesta peligrosa e inaceptable.

La carta indica que Tahoe no ha revelado que decenas de miles de personas en cinco municipios cercanos al proyecto argentífero Escobal de Tahoe votaron de manera abrumadora en contra de la minería en sus comunidades. Por ejemplo, en el municipio de Mataquescuintla, de donde era oriunda Topacio Reynoso, más de la mitad de la población con derecho al voto participó en la consulta y un 96% - alrededor de 10,000 personas – votó en contra de la minería.

“La oposición a la mina Tahoe en los municipios aledaños es tan elevada que Tahoe le presentó una demanda al gobierno de Guatemala, exigiéndole a este último cumplir un rol más activo en la protección de la mina”, indicó Shin Imai, abogado en el Proyecto Justicia y Responsabilidad Empresarial (Justice and Corporate Accountability Project) de la Facultad de Derecho Osgoode Hall. “Si bien la Corte desestimó la demanda, dos meses más tarde, el gobierno declaró el estado de sitio en los municipios en que se había votado en contra de la minería y se emitieron más de una decena de órdenes de captura a nombre de personas cuya oposición a la mina era conocida”. 

Mientras que, del 2012 al 2013, hubo un aumento en la violencia y represión en contra de quienes se oponen a la mina, el CPPIB triplicó sus inversiones en Tahoe.

Pese a la amplia oposición al proyecto, Tahoe se precipitó para ponerlo en producción.

La carta indica que las afirmaciones de Tahoe en relación al depósito mineral en el proyecto argentífero Escobal no están respaldadas por un estudio de viabilidad, que es la norma para establecer mayor certidumbre en relación a los minerales que se puedan hallar. En julio del 2013, la Comisión de Valores de la Columbia Británica catalogó a Tahoe en su “Listado de emisores en mora” por no haber cumplido con los requisitos pertinentes de divulgación de información. La Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores de Estados Unidos también interpeló a Tahoe en relación a sus afirmaciones. Como resultado, Tahoe se vio obligada a corregir su Evaluación Preliminar Económica con objeto de clarificar que no se había realizado un estudio de viabilidad y reconocer que los proyectos carecientes de este estudio corren un “riesgo mucho más elevado de fracasar a nivel económico y técnico”. 

“Dada la amenaza que este proyecto supone para las comunidades en Guatemala, y en estos tiempos en que a la población canadiense le preocupa la capacidad del Fondo de Pensiones de Canadá de satisfacer sus necesidades futuras, esta inversión es sencillamente irresponsable”, observa Jen Moore, Coordinadora del Programa de Latinoamérica de Alerta Minera Canadá.

Moore agrega que el antiguo jefe de seguridad de Tahoe, Alberto Rotondo, está detenido a la espera de juicio por una agresión con armas de fuego en abril del 2013 contra manifestantes pacíficos que dejó seis heridos. “Es muy probable que aumente la violencia y el CPPIB debería evitar su involucramiento en esto”, concluye.

Contactos: 

• Jen Moore, Coordinadora del Programa de Latinoamérica, Alerta Minera Canadá, (613) 569-3439, jen(arroba)miningwatch.ca
• Shin Imai, Proyecto Justicia y Responsabilidad Empresarial (Justice and Corporate Accountability Project - JCAP), Facultad de Derecho Osgoode Hall, York University, (416) 736-5274, simai(arroba)justice-project.org 

*Las fuentes que acompañan a la carta dirigida al Consejo de Inversiones del Fondo de Pensiones de Canadá

Sixteen-year old girl murdered in continued violence associated with Tahoe Resources' mine, Canada Pension Plan urged to divest

(Ottawa/Toronto) A sixteen year old Guatemalan girl, Topacio Reynoso, was murdered on April 13, 2014 near her home town of Mataquescuintla, Guatemala where she was head of a youth movement against mining. Her father, a leader in organizing a municipal vote on the mine, was shot in the same incident and is in hospital in critical condition. This is the latest example of violence and repression associated with the Canadian-listed mining company Tahoe Resources' Escobal project.

Today, MiningWatch is sending a letter* to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board calling on the fund to divest from Tahoe Resources. MiningWatch argues that the investment is a dangerous and unacceptable gamble.

The letter says that Tahoe has failed to disclose that tens of thousands of people in five municipalities closest to Tahoe’s Escobal silver project have voted overwhelmingly against mining in their communities. For example, in the municipality of Mataquescuintla, home of Topacio Reynoso, over half of the eligible voters participated in a vote in which 96% - or some 10,000 people - voted against mining.  

“Opposition to the Tahoe mine in the surrounding municipalities is so great that Tahoe actually sued the Guatemalan government, demanding that the government do more to protect the mine,” remarks Shin Imai, lawyer for the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project at Osgoode Hall Law School. “Although the Court dismissed the suit, two months later, the government declared a state of siege in municipalities where people had voted against mining and issued arrest warrants for more than a dozen people known to oppose the mine.”

As violence and repression against mine opponents grew from 2012 to 2013, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board tripled its holdings in Tahoe.  

Despite broad opposition to its project, Tahoe rushed to put it into production.

The letter points out that Tahoe’s claims about the mineral deposit at its Escobal silver project are not backed by a feasibility study, which is normally used to establish the economic viability of exploiting a mineral deposit. In July 2013, the British Columbia Securities Commission put Tahoe on its ‘Issuers in Default List’ because the company did not comply with related disclosure requirements. The United States Securities Exchange Commission also questioned Tahoe about its claims. As a result, Tahoe was forced to amend its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) to clarify that no feasibility study had been done and to acknowledge that projects lacking such a study “have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure.”

“Given the threat this project poses to Guatemalan communities, and at a time when Canadians are concerned about the ability of the Canada Pension Plan to meet future needs, this investment is simply irresponsible,” remarks Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada.

Moore adds that Tahoe’s former head of security, Alberto Rotondo, is under arrest awaiting trial for an April 2013 shooting against peaceful protesters, which injured six. “The violence is bound to worsen and the CPPIB should want no part in this,” she concludes.

Contacts:

• Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada, (613) 569-3439, jen(at)miningwatch.ca
• Shin Imai, Justice and Corporate Accountability Project, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University,  (416) 736-5274, simai(at)justice-project.org

*Sources for the MiningWatch letter to the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board

Organizaciones internacionales exigen justicia ante ataque armado en contra de líderes comunitarios opuestos a la mina Escobal de Tahoe Resources

Merilyn Topacio Reynoso Pacheco, 1997 -2014 (Foto: Danilo Zuleta)

Han pasado dos semanas desde el ataque mortal contra Alex y Topacio Reynoso, lideres comunitarios de Mataquescuintla, Jalapa, quienes estuvieron oponiéndose activamente a la mina El Escobal de Tahoe Resources en el sureste de Guatemala. Murió Topacio, quien tenía solo 16 años, y fue gravemente herido su papa, quien sigue bajo cuidado intensivo en el hospital. NISGUA está en solidaridad con la familia Reynoso y los miles de familias más pidiendo el derecho a la libre determinación, quienes han sufrido una intensificación de violencia, represión y criminalización desde la llegada de la empresa minera Tahoe Resources, de capital estadounidense y canadiense. 

 

Miles de familiares, amigos y vecinos honraron a Topacio, 15 de abril en Mataquescuintla.
(Foto: latribunadelpatojo)

Estudiantes y amigos hicieron banderas para llevar durante la procesión funeraria. (Foto: latribunadelpatojo)

Hoy NISGUA, junta con 35 organizaciones internacionales más, entregó una carta abierta a las autoridades Guatemaltecas denunciando el ataque y pidiendo justicia. Versión en ingles aquí.

Dra. Claudia Paz y Paz Bailey

Fiscal General de la República de Guatemala

1 de mayo del 2014

Re: Ataque armado en contra de líderes comunitarios opuestos al proyecto minero de Tahoe Resources

Estimada Doctora Claudia Paz y Paz Bailey,

Las organizaciones abajo firmantes estamos muy preocupados ante las noticias del ataque del 13 de abril en contra de Edwin Alexander Reynoso y su hija de 16 años, Merilyn Topacio Reynoso Pacheco. Rechazamos este ataque violento y exigimos que el Ministerio Publico realice una investigación completa e imparcial para asegurar que los responsables sean juzgados. También pedimos que la investigación sea trasladado de la Fiscalía Distrital de Jalapa a la Fiscalía de Delitos Contra Defensores de Derechos Humanos.

Merilyn Topacio Reynoso fue asesinada en el ataque, y Alex Reynoso sigue bajo cuidado intensivo en el hospital después de sufrir cuatro heridas de bala en el pecho y el estómago. Padre e hija son activistas de la Resistencia Pacifica en Defensa de los Recursos Naturales de Mataquescuintla, Jalapa, lo cual se ha organizado en contra de la mina Escobal de Tahoe Resources, ubicada en San Rafael las Flores. Goldcorp mantiene 40% de las acciones de Tahoe Resources, la cual opera el proyecto Escobal a nivel local mediante su filial, Minera San Rafael.

La familia Reynoso ha estado al frente de la lucha regional por la defensa del derecho al consentimiento previo, libre e informado, la auto-determinación, y los derechos humanos, que se organizó ante la llegada de Tahoe Resources a los departamentos sureste de Jalapa y Santa Rosa en 2010. Topacio fue una lideresa del movimiento juvenil de Mataquescuintla en contra de la minería y una defensora de derechos humanos muy conocida y activa. Su padre, Alex Reynoso, es un líder comunitario muy reconocido por su trabajo en la consulta comunitaria y como representante de la Resistencia Pacifica en Defensa de los Recursos Naturales de Mataquescuintla.

En Noviembre 2012, la municipalidad de Mataquescuintla celebró la primera consulta municipal en el departamento de Jalapa, sumándose a otras tres municipalidades en Santa Rosa que han expresado un rotundo “no” a la minería en su territorio. En diciembre del 2013, la Corte de Constitucionalidad dictó en favor de la consulta en Mataquescuintla, reconociendo la responsabilidad de las autoridades municipales en convocar esas consultas y tomar decisiones según sus resultados, afirmando su valor como "medios adecuados para que los pueblos puedan ejercer su derecho a dar su opinión y ser consultados sobre temas de interés." Hasta la fecha, se han realizado 14 consultas comunitarias en los municipios, las ciudades y las aldeas alrededores del proyecto.

A seis kilómetros del proyecto Escobal, los residentes de Mataquescuintla siguen opuestos al proyecto de Tahoe. Pero, en vez de respeto para su derecho a la auto-determinación y a decir no a este proyecto, han sufridas varias actas de violencia, intimidación y represión:

• Desde 2011, han sido acusados, sin fundamento legal, más de 100 personas involucradas en la resistencia a la mina.
• Entre marzo y mayo del 2013, en dos ocasiones, la policía desalojó violentamente el campamento pacifico, legítimo y legal radicado fuera de la mina
• En abril del 2013, las fuerzas de seguridad privada de Tahoe atacaron seis manifestantes pacificas fuera de la mina; uno fue gravemente herido. El ex jefe de seguridad de Tahoe Resources, Alberto Rotondo, sigue bajo arresto domiciliario mientras se espere la apertura del juicio en su contra, por supuestamente haber ordenado el ataque, y por lesiones y la obstrucción de justicia.
• En mayo 2013, Presidente Otto Pérez Molina declaró un estado de sitio en cuatro municipalidades alrededor del proyecto de Tahoe, inclusive en Mataquescuintla.

Estamos muy preocupados por la violencia y la persecución en contra de los defensores de derechos humanos y líderes comunitarios quienes están opuestos a la mina de Tahoe. Está sumamente importante que el crimen que terminó en el asesinato de Topacio Reynoso y las lesiones de que ahora sufre Alex Reynoso no sigue en la impunidad. Exigimos una investigación completa e imparcial por la Fiscalía de Delitos Contra Defensores de Derechos Humanos para asegurar que haya justicia, y para prevenir más violencia en la región. También pedimos que la investigación sea trasladado de la Fiscalía Distrital de Jalapa a la Fiscalía de Delitos Contra Defensores de Derechos Humanos. Tenemos entendido que Alex Reynoso está recibiendo protección policíaca mientras se recupere del ataque. Exigimos que el Ministro de Gobernación siga trabajando en conjunto con el Procurador de Derechos Humanos para asegurar la seguridad de Alex Reynoso y de su familia.

Muchas de nuestras organizaciones han tenido enlaces y/o compromisos profundos por varios años con los grupos opuestos a la mina de Tahoe Resources, y recientemente, muchas de ellas han visitado a las comunidades afectadas para reunirse con líderes locales y defensores de derechos humanos. Reconocemos que este tipo de violencia, la cual ocurre con preocupante frecuencia en y alrededor de las minas que hay en Guatemala, es también un grave problema global. Muchas de las organizaciones abajo firmantes están actualmente participando en una campaña llamada “Abierta para la Justicia,” para exigir legislación que garantice el acceso a la justicia en las cortes canadienses para las personas afectados por las operaciones mineras internacionales de las empresas Canadienses.

Le agradecemos su atención a esta solicitud y esperamos su apreciada respuesta.

Organizaciones firmantes:

Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network (ARSN) – Canada

Café Justicia Ottawa Education in Action – Canadá

Center for Alternative Mining Development Policy, La Crosse, Wisconsin - USA

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) - USA

The Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America  - USA

Comité pour les droits humains en Amérique latine (CDHAL) – Québec 

Conference of Major Superiors of Men – USA

Denver Justice & Peace Committee - USA

Environmental Network for Central America (ENCA) – United Kingdom

Guatemala Human Rights Commission (GHRC) – USA

Guatemala Partnership Committee, Congregational Church of Needham - USA

Guatemala Solidarity Network – United Kingdom

Guatemalan Working Group of the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario - Canada

Heart of the Sky Fair Trade - USA

Inter Pares – Canada

Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul - Kingston, Ontario - Canada

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives - Canada

Kickapoo Guatemala Accompaniment Project - USA

La Plataforma de Solidaridad con Chiapas y Guatemala de Madrid - Spain

Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) – Canada

Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network – Canada

Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, Toronto, Ontario – Canada

Mining Justice Action Committee, Victoria, British Columbia – Canada

Mining Justice Alliance, Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories – Canada

MiningWatch Canada

Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) - USA

New Hampshire-Vermont Guatemala Accompaniment Project (NH-VT G.A.P.) - USA

Oxfam America

Partners for Arlington and Guatemala, Arlington, VA - USA

The Peace and Justice Committee of First Churches, Northampton, MA - USA

Peace Watch Switzerland (PWS)

Projet Accompagnement Québec-Guatemala – Québec

SalvAide – Canada

Social Justice Connection – Québec

SOAW – LA - USA

SOA Watch - USA

St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America - USA

University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Guatemala Research Group – Canada

cc:

Erick Archila Dehesa

Ministro del Ministerio de Energía y Minas

Ing. Fernando Castellanos

Director General de la Minería, Ministerio de Energía y Minas

Mauricio López Bonilla

Ministerio de Gobernación

Michelle Melisa Martínez Kelly

Ministra del Ministerio de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales

Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Guatemala

Deputy Political-Economic Counselor, William Ayala

Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Guatemala

Oficial de Asuntos Políticos, Norman Galimba 

Embajada de Canadá en Guatemala

Embajador Stuart Savage

Embajada de Canadá en Guatemala

Oficial de Asuntos Políticos Colleen Pigeon

‘On the Road for Justice’ Speaking Tour to Bring Attention to Guatemala Mining Conflict, Need for Remedy in Canada

(Ottawa) How is it that when community leaders wrongfully targeted in the wake of violence connected with Tahoe Resources’ Escobal silver mine in Guatemala they spend months in jail, while the company’s former head of security, accused of ordering guards to open fire on protesters last April, is first given house arrest and then allowed to avoid prison by arguing that he is sick?

This is just one of the stark asymmetries in the current conflict between the Toronto-listed mining firm and communities in southeastern Guatemala, where repression and violence have been the outcome of efforts to install the project without social support.

More than half of the communities in the municipality of San Rafael las Flores, where the Escobal project is located, have declared opposition to the mine. In neighbouring municipalities, in the departments of Santa Rosa and Jalapa, the majority of the population has voted against the mine in municipal referenda.



Nonetheless, Tahoe Resources reported in January that the Escobal mine is operational, claiming that “unanticipated social issues have been addressed.” According to local reports, the only thing that Tahoe Resources seems to have resolved is how to mine despite ongoing conflict in Guatemala, where the company and its principal investor, Goldcorp, wield considerable political and economic influence.

This conflict brings to the forefront the need for the Canadian government to facilitate access to justice for abuses committed abroad. The tour of a group of Guatemalans to include stops in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia will link to the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability’s Open for Justice campaign. The CNCA campaign calls for laws to allow access to Canadian courts for people who have been harmed by the international operations of Canadian companies. It also calls for the creation of an extractive-sector Ombuds office in Canada mandated to investigate accusations of abuses and make recommendations to the government and the companies involved.

To provide a first hand community account of the situation around the Escobal mine, lawyer Rafael Maldonado from the Guatemalan Centre for Environmental, Social, and Legal Action (CALAS) will visit Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal to talk about the current state of Canadian mining conflicts in Guatemala.

Mr. Maldonado has defended numerous community members who have been criminalized for their opposition to the Tahoe project and represents plaintiffs in the case against Alberto Rotondo, who is facing charges for aggravated assault against six community members. Mr. Maldonado also represents communities in a case of industrial contamination against the mine.

Mr. Oscar Morales will join Mr. Maldonado in Toronto and then travel to Kingston, Peterborough and Vancouver. Mr. Morales is Coordinator of the Committee in Defense of Life and Peace in San Rafael Las Flores, as well as a community advocate and agronomist who is deeply concerned about the environmental and social impacts of Tahoe's mine. He has worked to support the six men shot by mine security in April 2013 and has been an advocate for the community consultations that have taken place throughout Santa Rosa.

Ms. Celeste Gutierrez from the Diocesan Committee in Defense of Nature (CODIDENA) from Santa Rosa will also participate in the events in Toronto and then travel to the Maritimes. Ms. Gutierrez will speak on CODIDENA's work to educate communities on the impacts of mining projects, her experiences organizing community consultations in Santa Rosa and the risks for human rights defenders in Guatemala.

For more information or to arrange interviews with the delegation:

• Jen Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator, MiningWatch Canada, (613) 569-3439, jen(at)miningwatch.ca

This speaking tour would not be possible without the support and hard work of the Justice and Corporate Accountability Project (JCAP) at Osgoode Hall Law School, the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network (BTS), and the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA).

Public events:

OTTAWA


Tues Mar 18th from 6:30-8pm


25One Community, 2nd Floor, 251 Bank St


Organized by Octopus Books, MiningWatch Canada, CNCA, the Public Service Alliance of Canada Social Justice Fund, Education in Action and the Americas Policy Group

TORONTO


Thurs Mar 20th from 7-9pm


Koffler House, Room 108, University of Toronto, 569 Spadina Crescent


Organized by the Mining Injustice Solidarity Network (MISN), BTS, NISGUA and friends

HALIFAX


Sun Mar 23rd at 10:30am


Edgewood Oxford United Church, 3055 Connaught Ave.


Organized by the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network

KINGSTON


Mon Mar 24th from 1:30-3pm


Providence Motherhouse Auditorium, 1200 Princess St (across from the Peach Tree Inn)


Organized by the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Office of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul

PETERBOROUGH


Mon Mar 24th from 6:30-8:30pm


Sadleir House, 751 George St. N.


with a short film screening and Q&A to follow


Organized by Canadians for Mining Awareness

MONTREAL


Mon Mar 24th from 6:30-9pm


Salle D-R200, UQAM (1430, rue Saint-Denis)


with Alain Deneault, author of 'Canada: A New Tax Haven'


Organized by the Projet Accompagnement Québec Guatemala and the Social Justice Committee of Montreal

TATAMAGOUCHE


Mon Mar 24th at 7pm


Event at the Tatamagouche Centre, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia


Organized by the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network



ANTIGONISH


Tues Mar 25th at 7pm


Room 150, Coady International Institute


Organized by the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network



VANCOUVER


Wed Mar 26th from 5:15-8pm


CAWP Room 2916, Forest Science Centre, University of British Columbia


with a screening of "Gold Fever"


Organized by the Forestry Graduate Students Association at UBC

FREDERICTON


Wed Mar 26th at 5:30pm
James Dunn Hall, room TBA, St. Thomas University


Organized by the Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network

VANCOUVER


Sat Mar 29th from 7-9pm


Two Nations, One Struggle


Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, 1803 East 1st Ave


with Marilyn Baptiste, council of Xeni Gwet'in, Tŝilhqot’in Nation


Organized by Cafe Rebelde, with support from Amnesty International, the Mining Justice Alliance, the Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights and Streams of Justice

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