Guatemalan Prosecutor summons Tahoe Resources CEO to testify about criminalization of community leaders

For additional background on this case see the article: A cheat sheet for Kevin McArthur on Tahoe Resources' tactics to silence opposition in Guatemala

PRESS RELEASE 

Friday, October 17, 2014

Source: Committee in Defense of Life and Peace of San Rafael Las Flores - Guatemalan Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action (CALAS) 

 

(Guatemala City): Kevin McArthur, CEO of the transnational Canadian mining company Tahoe Resources Inc, owner of the subsidiary Minera San Rafael S.A., has been summoned by the District Attorney’s office in Villa Nueva, department of Guatemala to provide his declaration with regard to Minera San Rafael’s policy of criminalization against community leaders in the department of Santa Rosa who are in peaceful resistance to the Escobal mine. This declaration was requested as part of case MP015-2013-7757 for which the District Attorney is responible and in which regard the Manager of External Relations for Minera San Rafael, Camilo Ernesto Medina Mazariegos, has falsely accused without grounds the community leader and coordinator of the Committee in Defense of Life and Peace of San Rafael Las Flores, Oscar Roderico Morales Garcia. This is the third time that Minera San Rafael has made efforts to criminalize Oscar Roderico Morales Garcia by way of its workers.

The summons for Kevin McArthur as CEO of Tahoe Resources to provide his testimony to the District Attorney’s office in the Municipality of Villa Nueva was presented to the office of Minera San Rafael in Guatemala City on the afternoon of October 15th, 2014. According to the order, Mr. McArthur is obliged to be present to make his declaration on October 21st at 10am.

The Committee in Defense of Life and Peace of San Rafael Las Flores and the Guatemalan Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action (CALAS) have been taking all possible legal actions to ensure that the CEO of Tahoe Resources appears in Guatemala to provide his testimony and demonstrate the policy of criminalization against activists and community leaders that Minera San Rafael has been carrying out.

‘Justice for Nature, Justice for Communities in Resistance’

For more information:

• Pedro Rafael Maldonado, General Director, CALAS, (502) 24744545, (502) 54178499, rafamaldonado(at)calas.org.gt 

Summary of Related Documents  
On October 10, 2014, Oscar Roderico Morales García made a request to the District Attorney’s Office in Villa Nueva, Department of Guatemala to summon Tahoe Resources CEO Kevin McArthur to testify in connection with criminal charges made against him by a Tahoe employee. The reason provided for the request was “To testify to the policy of criminalization that [the company’s subsidiary] has been carrying out against community leaders in resistance to the imposition of the Escobal mining project in the muncipality of San Rafael Las Flores, Santa Rosa. This declaration will demonstrate that the complaint that has been made against me is part of a series of cases that Tahoe Resources Inc by way of Minera San Rafael, S.A. has undertaken in Guatemala against community leaders in the area of influence of the Escobal mine in order to effectively impose it on the community.” The request makes reference to rights enshrined in the Guatemalan Political Constitution and Procedural Criminal Code. See the summons issued by the District Attorney here.

On October 15, 2014, the District Attorney’s Office in the Municipality of Villa Nueva, Guatemala issued an urgent summons addressed to CEO Kevin McArthur at Tahoe Resources’ office in Guatemala City requesting his presence at the District Attorney’s office on October 21, 2014 at 10am or to communicate directly with the office by phone. He is asked to provide his testimony in response to Oscar Roderico Morales García's request. See original document signed by Auxilliary Attorney I Karen Jimena Ucelo Lima and received at the offices of Minera San Rafael S.A. in Gutemala at 3:40pm on October 15, 2015: MP015-2013-7757, Fiscalía Municipal de Villa Nueva, Guatemala, Agencia 3UDI.

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

Communities in Santa Rosa and Jalapa launch campaign to halt Tahoe Resources' expansion

"Water and life are worth more than silver or gold. You are intelligent, don't let them fool you." Community organized billboard campaign in Santa Rosa and Jalapa. Photo NISGUA

In February 2013, the community of San Juan Bosco, located just 8 miles from Tahoe Resources' massive Escobal silver mine, held a referendum in which 99% of people voted against mining. Local residents were not just concerned about impacts of the Escobal mine on their water and crops, but about another Tahoe exploration license, Juan Bosco, which is located, as the name suggests, right on top of the small farming community. Now, nine months after Tahoe announced a start to operations at Escobal, the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Juan Bosco license has been published for public comment, indicating an important step forward in the granting of the exploitation permit.

In an ongoing attempt to make their voices heard, communities of Santa Rosa and Jalapa announced last Monday the launch of a campaign to halt Tahoe's expansion. The company's plans to exploit at least 12 mineral veins in an area covering 2,398 square kilometers are moving swiftly ahead despite community opposition and more than a dozen referenda in which more than 53,000 people in six municipalities voted against mining in their territory. See the full press release from communities below.

Residents of Mataquescuintla map Tahoe mining licenses compared to the location of communities, local water sources and forests. Photo NISGUA

Tahoe's decision to move forward with the Juan Bosco license was met with concern and frustration by local residents. At a press conference in Guatemala City on September 1, one resident commented, “In San Juan Bosco we feel indignant because we already had our referenda. We are a community that depends on agriculture and this mine threatens our water. That is why we continue to oppose these projects.”

Likewise, representatives from 10 communities, including three Xinca indigenous communities impacted by Tahoe's expansion plans in the departments of Santa Rosa and Jalapa, expressed concern that neither Tahoe, nor the Guatemalan government respect their right to consultation and self-determination. They also denounced local mayors who are accepting mining royalties against the will of the people.

A representative from the municipality of Santa Rosa de Lima, where in 2012, more than 98% of the population voted against Tahoe Resources' Escobal mine explained: “Our mayor, and others in the region, accepted the royalties – but the money is only serving to line their own pockets... We demand that the government and the company respect our referendum. We may be farmers but we still deserve rights. The constitution applies to everyone.” A representative from San Juan Bosco, in the municipality of San Rafael las Flores where the mine is located agreed: “We haven't seen development. All we have seen are increased conflicts.”

Community representatives also addressed Tahoe Resources' statements contending that the company has social support for the project and that it consulted with local communities, stating “The company says that they consulted with us and that is a lie. What the company does is gather signatures by deceiving people and take advantage of their poverty. The company offers trees or fertilizer and so people give their signatures and ID number. That's not a real consultation.” 

A leader from the Xinca community of Jumaytepeque questioned the discourse of the government and the multinational companies stating, “When they come and tell us that mining brings development, I have to ask, 'then why are we in the same situation, or worse off, than we were 10 years ago?' Every day more and more people are living in poverty. And people living near the mines are faced with health problems they never had before.”

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Press Release: Communities of Santa Rosa and Jalapa Organized in Defense of Territory and Nature 

Versión en Español

Since 2012, we have held citizen requested municipal referendums, in which more than 53,000 residents have manifested, through the legitimate exercise of our rights as citizens, that WE DO NOT AGREE with chemical mineral mining in any part of our territory. According to the Constitutional Court, these consultations have been declared constitutionally legal and binding at the municipal level.

Despite the clear rejection of chemical mining of metals in our territory, and with the complicity of the [Guatemalan] government, the company, Minera San Rafael, continues actions focused on entering our municipalities through underhanded measures, knowing full well  that the only thing they achieve is the generation of increased conflict, while disturbing the peace and community tranquillity. Clear proof of this is the granting of the exploration licenses named Juan Bosco and Andres during the first quarter of 2012. These licenses affect municipalities located in [the departments of] Santa Rosa, Jalapa and Guatemala. Now, despite the evident opposition of our communities and in a demonstration of disrespect for the clear wishes of the people, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources has published the Environmental Impact Assessment (2014-EIA-4413) for the  Juan Bosco Mine Exploitation License (LEXR-089-08), for public comment. 

According to a presentation and information presented to investors in June in Vancouver, Canada, Tahoe Resources Inc. (owner of the Minera San Rafael, S.A.) plans to exploit at least 12 mineral veins in our territory,  including gold, silver, zinc, etc. [According to Tahoe Resources] an area of 2,498 km2 will be exploited through various licenses, some that have already been obtained, others that are still in process. However, [the company] is selling this project to investors as though it already owns the land, arguing that the current government is pro-mining and that in Guatemala they pay an extremely low tax rate, making it a profitable business opportunity. 

Faced with this grave situation, we have expressed our opposition to the chemical metal mining in our territories through municipal and good-faith community referendums. Today we are launching a campaign that seeks to make clear to the pro-mining and sell-out Guatemalan government, as well as the mining companies and their investors, that our land is not for sale. We have a development model that respects the environment and Mother Earth. For us, water and life are worth more, much more, than silver or gold.

Therefore, on more than 100 km of highway in our municipalities we have placed signs so that those who enter our territories know that more than 98% of residents do not want the chemical mineral mining and that we are in constant peaceful resistance to these projects.

Guatemala, August 2014

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

Red del Proyecto de Acompañamiento de NISGUA denuncia intento de expulsar observadores internacionales

Toma acción inmediata para expresar su apoyo para el acompañamiento internacional en derechos humanos y los defensores de derechos humanos en Guatemala!

Favor de remitir la siguiente carta a las autoridades guatemaltecas y estadounidenses hoy! Descarga la carta aquí y mandarla con un mensaje personalizado a los embajadas, consulados y autoridades guatemaltecas. Se puede encontrar la lista de contactos aquí. También, favor de mandar la carta a sus representantes elegidos y no olvide pedirles seguimiento y una respuesta.

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Estimado Sr. Julio Ligorría Carballido, Embajadador de Guatemala en los Estados Unidos,

Los abajo firmantes miembros de la Red en Solidaridad con el Pueblo de Guatemala (NISGUA) estamos preocupados con respecto a la decisión del gobierno de Guatemala de cancelar los permisos de residencia temporal de dos acompañantes internacionales representando Brigadas de Paz Internacional (PBI). La medida fue el resultado de dos resoluciones emitidos el 1 de julio del 2014 por el Ministerio del Interior y la Dirección de Servicios Migratorios. Las resoluciones no declararon las razones o los eventos que indujeron a la revocación de las visas, ni proveyeron evidencia para justificar la decisión.  Diez días después de emitir las resoluciones, y el mismo día en que los voluntarios estaban requeridos salir del país, el Ministro del Interior Mauricio López Bonilla informó a PBI que la revocación de los permisos fue anulado y que los acompañantes serán permitidos quedarse en el país. 

Denunciamos el intento socavar el acompañamiento y la observación internacional, esfuerzos implementados por PBI a petición de individuales, comunidades, y organizaciones bajo amenaza por el trabajo que realizan. Expresamos nuestra preocupación grave sobre la persecución de observadores  internacionales quienes proveen el acompañamiento de protección a defensores de derechos humanos y el uso de esta estrategia como medio de perjudicar la seguridad de defensores de derechos humanos en Guatemala. Reiteramos nuestra solidaridad con PBI Guatemala, una organización hermana que realiza un trabajo impecable en defensa de los derechos humanos. 

Por más de treinta anos, NISGUA y el Proyecto de Acompañamiento Internacional en Guatemala han jugado un papel importante en la creación y protección de espacios políticos para que los Guatemaltecos puedan defender sus derechos civiles, políticos, económicos, sociales, culturales, medioambientales, e indígenas. Voluntarios de NISGUA, como los de PBI, proveen observación imparcial, no-intervencionista y no-violenta en la cual los defensores de derechos humanos dependen para llevar a cabo su trabajo afrontando amenazas y ataques, reales y potenciales, en contra de los  derechos humanos. Este trabajo es reconocido en la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Derecho y el Deber de los Individuos, los Grupos y las Instituciones de Promover y Proteger los Derechos Humanos y las Libertades Fundamentales Universalmente Reconocidos, la cual subraya el papel fundamental de la cooperación internacional para contribuir a la protección de los derechos humanos.

Solicitamos que usted exige al Presidente Otto Pérez Molina, el Ministerio del Interior y la Dirección de Servicios Migratorios que respectan los derechos de los guatemaltecos de llevar a cabo su trabajo en defensa de los derechos humanos y de solicitar la presencia de acompañamiento y observación internacional cuando ese trabajo está en riesgo. También pedimos que usted exige a la Dirección de Servicios Migratorios una aclaración sobre el proceso apresurado e irregular por el cual inicialmente se cancelaron los permisos. Finalmente, solicitamos que usted exige al Estado de Guatemala y sus instituciones correspondientes de cumplir con su obligación de proteger los defensores de derechos humanos, reconociendo que ellos tienen un papel fundamental a la construcción de una democracia participativa con respecto por el estado de derecho. Esperamos su respuesta y gracias por adelantado por su consideración de las solicitudes antedichas.

Atentamente,

Red en Solidaridad con el Pueblo de Guatemala / NISGUA y la red del Proyecto de Acompañamiento Internacional en Guatemala:
Guatemala Accompaniment Project Council, USA
Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project, MI
Kickapoo Guatemala Accompaniment Project, WI
Lakes Area Group Organizing for Guatemala (LAGOS), MN
Needham Congregational Church/Guatemala Partnership, MA
New Hampshire-Vermont Guatemala Accompaniment Project, NH-VT
Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment, OH
Task Force on the Americas, CA
Wyoming Guatemala Accompaniment Project, WY
Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington-Partners for Arlington and Guatemala, VA

CC:

Embajada de los Estados Unidos en Guatemala
Oficial de Asuntos Políticos Norman Galimba
GalimbaN@state.gov
Consulados guatemaltecos en los EE.UU.
Dirección de Servicios Migratorios de Guatemala
Director Manual Vicente Roca Menéndez
direccion@migracion.gob.gt
Presidente de la República de Guatemala
Otto Pérez Molina
informacion@secretariaprivada.gob.gt
ottoperezmolina@guatemala.gob.gt
Ministerio de Gobernación de Guatemala
Mauricio López Bonilla
fdeleon@mingob.gob.gt

NISGUA's Accompaniment Project network denounces attempted expulsion of international observers

Take immediate action to express your support for international human rights accompaniment and human rights defenders in Guatemala!

Please forward the below letter to Guatemalan and US authorities today! Download the letter here and forward it with a personal note to embassies, consulates and Guatemalan officials. The contact list can be found here. Additionally, please consider sending the letter to your elected representative and make sure to follow up and request a response.

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Dear Mr. Julio Ligorría Carballido, Guatemalan Ambassador to the United States,

The below signed members of the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) write with deep concern regarding the decision of the Guatemalan government to cancel the temporary residence permits of two international accompaniers representing Peace Brigades International (PBI). The measure was the result of two resolutions issued on July 1, 2014 by Guatemala's Ministry of the Interior and Office of Migration Services. The resolutions did not state the reasons or events that led to the visa revocation, nor did they provide evidence to justify the decision. Ten days after the resolutions were issued, and on the same day the volunteers were required to leave the country, the Minister of the Interior Mauricio López Bonilla informed PBI that the revocations had been annulled and the accompaniers would be allowed to remain in the country.

We denounce the attempt to undermine international accompaniment and observation, efforts implemented by PBI at the request of individuals, communities, and organizations under threat. We express our grave concern about the targeting of international observers who provide human rights protective accompaniment and the use of these strategies as a means of undermining the security of human rights defenders in Guatemala. We reiterate our solidarity with PBI Guatemala, a sister organization carrying out impeccable work in defense of human rights.

For more than thirty years, NISGUA and the Guatemala Accompaniment Project have played a vital role in creating and protecting political space for Guatemalans to defend civil, political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, and indigenous rights. NISGUA volunteers, like those from PBI, provide the non-partisan, non-interventionist and non-violent observation that human rights defenders depend on to carry out their work in the face of actual and potential human rights threats and attacks. This work is recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which underscores the fundamental role of international cooperation in contributing to the protection of human rights. 

We request that you call on President Otto Pérez Molina, the Ministry of the Interior and the Office of Migration Services to respect the right of Guatemalans to carry out their work in defense of human rights and to request the presence of international accompaniment and observation when that work is at risk. We also ask that you demand clarification from the Office of Migration Services for the hasty and irregular process by which the permits were initially revoked. Finally, we ask that you call on the state of Guatemala and its corresponding institutions to uphold their obligation to protect human rights defenders, recognizing the critical role they play in the construction of a participatory democracy with respect for the rule of law. 

We look forward to your response and thank you in advance for your consideration of the above requests. 

Sincerely, 

Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala/NISGUA and the Guatemala Accompaniment Project network:

Guatemala Accompaniment Project Council, USA

Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project, MI

Kickapoo Guatemala Accompaniment Project, WI

Lakes Area Group Organizing for Guatemala (LAGOS), MN

Needham Congregational Church/Guatemala Partnership, MA

New Hampshire-Vermont Guatemala Accompaniment Project, NH-VT

Santa Elena Project of Accompaniment, OH

Task Force on the Americas, CA

Wyoming Guatemala Accompaniment Project, WY

Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington-Partners for Arlington and Guatemala, VA 

CC:

United States Embassy in Guatemala

Political Affairs Officer Norman Galimba

GalimbaN@state.gov

Guatemalan Consulates in the United States

Guatemala Office of Migration Services

Director Manual Vicente Roca Menéndez

direccion@migracion.gob.gt

President of the Republic of Guatemala

Otto Pérez Molina

informacion@secretariaprivada.gob.gt
ottoperezmolina@guatemala.gob.gt

Guatemalan Ministry of the Interior

Mauricio López Bonilla

fdeleon@mingob.gob.gt

Guatemalan organizations respond to the expulsion of two volunteers with Peace Brigades International (PBI)

On July 1, 2014, Guatemalan officials revoked the temporary residence permits of two human rights accompaniers with Peace Brigades International. In response to their expulsion, the Convergence for Human Rights (Convergencia por los Derechos Humanos), a network of Guatemalan social, environmental, human rights, feminist, campesino and territorial defense organizations released the following statement. Spanish version here.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND OUR RIGHTS

The below-signed social, environmental, human rights, feminist, campesino and territorial defense organizations demand our right to defend human rights and count on solidarity accompaniment in doing so.

At the beginning of this month, two volunteers from Peace Brigades International (PBI) were ordered by Guatemalan migration authorities to leave the country. The notification was sent to both of the observers, but failed to include a description of the acts being applied to the articles of migration law that would imply their obligatory exit from the country.

In a misleading affirmation, the head of the Ministry of the Interior, retired coronal Héctor Mauricio López Bonilla, affirmed having seen videos in which the PBI observers appear throwing rocks at members of the National Civil Police (PNC). The action would have taken place during the violent eviction of the peaceful resistance at La Puya, which was carried out with an abuse of power and violence by the security forces under the command of the Minister [of the Interior]. Nevertheless, in the cancellation notice of their temporary residence permits, these acts are not explained; the same acts which, as it has been indicated, are false.

The actions perpetrated by the authorities of  the Ministry of the Interior, including violently repressing the peaceful resistance -to the extreme of handcuffing a national observer from the Human Rights Defenders Protection Unit (UDEFEGUA)-, and later, harassing the international observers in solidarity, violates the right to defend rights. While the Political Constitution of the Republic requires the government to respect and protect defenders of human rights, the rights to liberty of association, reunion, protest and expression are limited. Likewise, [we see] the installation of politics of xenophobia, which is  typical of authoritarian regimes and dictatorial enemies of democracy.

For these motives, the below-signed persons and organizations:

1.   Demand that the Government of the Republic, in particular the President and migration authorities, revoke the international accompaniers' expulsion order and guarantee the completion of their humanitarian mission.

2.   Demand that the Public Ministry carry out the swift investigation of the denouncements of abuses of power committed by the security forces, civil and military, including the prosecution of the public servants who committed them. Additionally, we demand the immediate cease of the baseless persecution of defenders of human rights, regardless of nationality.

3.   Demand that the head of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office (PDH) take effective action to support and accompany defenders of human rights and we urge him to end the  complicit relation with the government authorities responsible for abuses and arbitrary actions. The constitutional authority of the office cannot be limited by particular interests or commitments of any kind.

4.   Urge the United Nations, in particular the Office of the High Commission of Human Rights (OACNUDH) to report on the violations committed by the State of Guatemala with regard to its commitment to human rights; the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (ACNUR), to help and accompany the international public servants, who are the victims of the political xenophobia of the Guatemalan state. [We urge] To the International Committee of the Red Cross, to maintain a presence in zones of territorial conflict and to protect the communities threatened by the voracious  action of the extractive industry. Additionally, [we urge] the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland that in compliance with their decrees regarding defenders of human rights, they take action aimed at protecting all human right defenders, both foreign and national, who work in Guatemala.

5.   Invite the international community to not abandon the Guatemalan people who once again feel repression and political prosecution for simply defending their rights.

6.   Convoke all of Guatemalan society to defend their rights to life, to territory, and to defend the right to defend rights, supporting  social and human rights movements in their fight for a democracy with equality and social justice.

FOR THE RESPECT OF RIGHTS AND THE LIBERTIES AND GUARANTEES THAT PROTECT US

NO MORE XENOPHOBIC POLICIES AND POLITICAL PERSECUTION

ENOUGH OF THE THREATENING OF OUR RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND THE LIBERTY OF EXPRESSION

ENOUGH PERSECUTION FOR DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS  

Guatemala, July 6, 2014

Human Rights Convergence

Centro de Análisis Forense y Ciencias Aplicadas (CAFCA); Centro para la Acción Legal en Derechos Humanos (CALDH); Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social (CALAS); Centro Internacional para Investigaciones en Derechos Humanos (CIIDH); Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosial (ECAP); Asociación El Refugio de la Niñez; Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales de Guatemala (ICCPG);Oficina de Derechos Humanos de Arzobispado de Guatemala (ODHAG); Seguridad en Democracia (SEDEM); Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos (UDEFEGUA); Unión Nacional de Mujeres Guatemaltecas (UNAMG)

Alliance against Criminalization

AMISMAXAJ; Asociación Kaji' B'atz; CCNUEVODIA; ILUGUA; Puente de Paz; OASIS

Organizaciones guatemaltecas responden a la expulsión de dos voluntarios con Brigadas Internacionales de Paz (PBI)

El 1 de julio del 2014, autoridades de la Dirección General de Migración de Guatemala cancelaron la residencia temporal a dos acompañantes internacionales de derechos humanos con Brigadas Internacionales de Paz (PBI).  La Convergencia por los Derechos Humanos, un red de organizaciones Guatemaltecos sociales, ambientales, de derechos humanos, feministas, campesinas y de defensa territorial, respondió a la expulsión, publicando la declaración siguiente. Versíon en ingles aquí.

TENEMOS DERECHO A DEFENDER DERECHOS

Las organizaciones sociales, ambientales, de derechos humanos, feministas, campesinas y de defensa territorial abajo firmantes, reclamos nuestro derecho a defender derechos humanos y contar para ello con el acompañamiento solidario.

Al inicio de este mes, una voluntaria y un voluntario de las Brigadas de Paz Internacionales (PBI), fueron conminados por autoridades de migración en Guatemala a abandonar el país. La notificación fue remitida a ambos observadores, sin que el texto en cuestión expresara los hechos según los cuales se les aplicaban artículos de la ley de migración que implicaban su salida obligada del país.

En un falaz afirmación, el titular del Ministerio de Gobernación (Mingob), teniente coronel retirado Héctor Mauricio López Bonilla, aseveró haber visto videos en los cuales se aprecia a los observadores de PBI lanzando piedras a elementos de la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC). Acción que habría tenido lugar durante el desalojo violento a la resistencia pacifica en La Puya, perpetrado con abuso de poder y violencia, por las fuerzas de seguridad bajo el mando el mando del Ministro. Sin embargo, en la nota de cancelación de las residencia temporal de ambos, no se exponen tales hechos, mismos que, como se ha indicado, son falsos.

Con la acción perpetrada por la autoridades del Mingob, primero reprimiendo violentamente una resistencia pacífica--al extremo de engrilletar a una verificadora nacional de la Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos Guatemala (UDEFEGUA)--, y luego, hostigando a las y los observadores internacionales solidarios, se vulnera el derecho a defender derechos. La Constitución Política de la República obliga al gobierno a respectar y proteger a los defensores de derechos humanos, sin embargo se coarta el derecho a a la libertad de asociación, reunión, manifestación y expresión, además de que se instala una política de xenofobia, típica de regímenes autoritarios y dictatoriales enemigos de la democracia.

Por tales motivos, las personas y organizaciones firmantes:

1.   Exigimos al Gobierno de la República, en particular a la Presidencia y autoridades de Migración, revocar la orden de expulsión de los acompañantes internaciones y otorgar las garantías para el cumplimiento de su misión humanitaria.

2.   Demandamos al Ministerio Publico, la pronto investigación de las denuncias de abusos de poder perpetrado por fuerzas de seguridad civiles y militares, así como el procesamiento de los funcionarios que los cometan. De igual forma, el cese inmediato de las persecuciones sin fundamento en contra de defensoras y defensores de derechos humanos, sean de la nacionalidad que sean.

3.   Requerimos del titular de la Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos (PDH) una acción efectiva de apoyo y acompañamiento a defensoras y defensores de derechos humanos y le exhortamos a que cese la relación complaciente con las autoridades de gobierno responsables de abusos y arbitrariedades. Su mandato constitucional no puede ser limitado por intereses particulares ni compromisos de índole alguna.

4.   Exhortamos al sistema de los Naciones Unidas, en particular a la Oficina de la Alta Comisionada de Derechos Humanos (OACNUDH) a informar sobre las violaciones del Estado de Guatemala a los compromisos en materia de Derechos Humanos; al Alto Comisionado de Naciones Unidas para Refugiados (ACNUR), apoyar y acompañar a las y los cooperantes y funcionarios internacionales, víctimas de políticas xenófobas de estado guatemalteco. Al Comité Internacional de la Cruz Roja, a tener presencia en las zonas de conflictividad territorial y proteger a las comunidades amenazadas por la voraz acción de la industria extractiva. Asimismo, a la Unión Europea, Noruega y Suiza que en cumplimiento de sus Directrices sobre Defensores de Derechos Humanos realicen acciones tendientes a la protección de todos los defensores de derechos humanos extranjeros y nacionales que trabajan en Guatemala.

5.   Invitamos a la comunidad internacional a no abandonar al pueblo de Guatemala que vuelve a sentir el paso acelerado de la represión y la persecución política del Estado por el simple hecho de defender derechos.

6.   Convocamos a la sociedad guatemalteca a defender su derecho a la vida, al territorio y a defender derechos, apoyando al movimiento social y de derechos humanos en su lucha por una democracia con equidad y justicia social.

POR EL RESPECTO A NUESTROS DERECHOS Y A LAS LIBERTADES Y GARANTÍAS QUE NOS PROTEGEN

NO MAS POLÍTICAS DE XENOFOBIA Y PERSECUCIÓN POLÍTICA

BASTA YA DE AMENAZAR NUESTRO DERECHO A LA ORGANIZACIÓN Y LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESIÓN

BASTA YA DE PERSEGUIRNOS POR DEFENDERNOS

Guatemala, 6 de julio de 2014

Convergencia por los Derechos Humanos

Centro de Análisis Forense y Ciencias Aplicadas (CAFCA); Centro para la Acción Legal en Derechos Humanos (CALDH); Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social (CALAS); Centro Internacional para Investigaciones en Derechos Humanos (CIIDH); Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosial (ECAP); Asociación El Refugio de la Niñez; Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales de Guatemala (ICCPG);Oficina de Derechos Humanos de Arzobispado de Guatemala (ODHAG); Seguridad en Democracia (SEDEM); Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos (UDEFEGUA); Unión Nacional de Mujeres Guatemaltecas (UNAMG)

Alianza contra la Criminalización

AMISMAXAJ; Asociación Kaji' B'atz; CCNUEVODIA; ILUGUA; Puente de Paz; OASIS

Statement from Peace Brigades International Guatemala in response to the cancellation of the residence permits of two volunteers

URGENT: Cancellation of temporary residence permits of two volunteers of PBI Guatemala

Peace Brigades International (PBI) Guatemala would like to bring attention to and share its grave concern following the cancellation of the temporary residence permits of two volunteers of the PBI Guatemala project working in the country. This measure was decided by the Sub-directorate for Foreign Citizen issues which is part of the Office of Migration Services (Dirección General de Migración, DGM) and the Ministry of Interior (Ministerio de Gobernación), in two resolutions dated 1st July, without stating the reasons or events that led to this decision. The resulting situation affects both individuals and their immigration status, as well as the work of international accompaniment and observation for the defence of human rights which PBI has carried out in Guatemala for over 30 years.

On July 1st 2014, two PBI volunteers, of Chilean and Spanish nationality, presented themselves at the Office of Migration Services, which had summoned them via written notice on 25th June (Received 26th June) to provide “information with regards to their temporal residency permits”. In the meeting, during which the legal representative of PBI Guatemala as well as a lawyer were present, the volunteers were informed that their temporal residency had been withdrawn and that they have 10 days to leave the country. However, the resolutions lack any reasoning on the basis of specific evidence to justify the decision and fail to refer to any actions of PBI or its volunteers.

PBI Guatemala has enjoyed legal status en Guatemala since 1995¹ and is duly registered and accredited by the public authorities, with legal representation and capacity to act within the framework of its mandate and mission. Each PBI volunteer initiates the process of application for temporary residence upon arrival in the country in compliance with immigration law. At all times, PBI and its volunteers in Guatemala act in accord with the legal framework. National authorities are regularly informed on our work both in Guatemala and outside the country.

The two PBI volunteers to whom the resolutions refer, observed the violent eviction of the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya on 23rd May. In June, PBI Guatemala issued an alert calling for attention to these events.² During the eviction, representatives of the Office of Migration Services were present but subsequently left without approaching the PBI observers, after police officers had checked their migration status by revising their identification documents, only to find them in order.
Over the following weeks, various articles with defamatory comments against foreigners and international organisations were published in Guatemalan media.

We are concerned that the cancellation of the temporary residence permits of two of our volunteers may be related to false information on the work of international observation during the eviction which was published by the media.

In the current context characterized by the closure of spaces for human rights defenders, we are also concerned that the above-mentioned resolutions undermines the possibilities of international accompaniment and observation which aims to protect spaces for non-violent conflict resolution and the promotion of human rights in Guatemala. The work carried out in the country by PBI responds to the request of social organizations and actors who have the right to defend their rights and to seek international accompaniment and observation, when they face threats and attacks due to this engagement.

<sup>1. [Issued March 10, 1995 by Ministerial Agreement 148-95, the Interior Ministry.]↩
2. [PBI, “Violent eviction of the Peaceful Resistence at “La Puya””]↩</sup>

Guatemala, 2.07.2014, http://www.pbi-guatemala.org/los-proyectos/pbi-guatemala/noticias/spanish-news-holder/?no_cache=1&L=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=4297&cHash=690f733c81d4e14f6b39950008ec4cdd

El Consejo de los pueblos Mayas y Xinka denuncian al estado de Guatemala ante la CIDH

El Consejo presenta su denuncia el 3 de septiembre de 2013. Foto: CPO

EL CONSEJO DE LOS PUEBLOS MAYAS Y XINKA, DENUNCIAN AL ESTADO DE GUATEMATEMA 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 son:

a. Derechos políticos ―derechos de participación, consulta y consentimiento―, reconocidos en el artículo 23.1.a de 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.

Ciudad de Guatemala; 3 de Septiembre de 2013.

Se solicita a Comisión de Valores en Canadá investigar a Minera Tahoe luego de que escuchas telefónicas vincluan a sus empleados en hecho violentos en Guatemala

PARA DIFUSIÓN INMEDIATA
3 de junio 2013


(Toronto/Ottawa) El Proyecto Justicia y Responsabilidad Corporativa (Justice and Corporate Accountability Project - JCAP) en Canadá entregó el día viernes una queja a la Comisión de Valores de la provincia de Ontario en relación a la empresa Tahoe Resources (TSX: THO; NYSE: TAHO) por su deficiente divulgación de información sobre los casos de violencia vinculados a su único proyecto minero en el suroriente de Guatemala. 

El 27 de abril, empleados de seguridad dispararon e hirieron a seis personas que se encontraban en frente del proyecto minero Escobal. Las escuchas telefónicas encargadas por el Ministerio Público de Guatemala implican a empleados de la empresa minera en los hechos.

Según la evidencia de las escuchas telefónicas, Alberto Rotondo, gerente de seguridad de la empresa Tahoe, ordenó a las fuerzas de seguridad de la mina atacar a los manifestantes. Rotondo ha sido ligado a proceso por obstaculización de la investigación penal, y por lesiones leves y graves. Se encuentra bajo medida sustitutiva de arresto domiciliario, a la espera de una audiencia probatoria en julio de este año.

El asesor de seguridad de la empresa, Juan Pablo Oliva Trejo, también fue detenido en conexión con el ataque y ligado a proceso por el delito de encubrimiento propio. Según las escuchas telefónicas, Trejo ayudó a Rotondo a movilizarse durante los días siguientes al ataque y le advirtió a Rotondo que saliera del país para evitar conflictos legales.

Según las directrices de la Comisión de Valores, Tahoe Resources debe presentar cambios materiales “de inmediato”. Sin embargo, la divulgación de información por parte de la empresa ha sido insuficiente e inexacta.

“Nos preocupa que Tahoe Resources minimice la gravedad de los serios crímenes por los que se acusa a sus empleados en sus comentarios a la prensa y que no haya emitido una declaración oficial para corregir los errores en la información emitida anteriormente a que surgiera la evidencia de las escuchas telefónicas”, indicó el abogado Shin Imai, del JCAP, Facultad de Derecho Osgoode Hall en Toronto.

JCAP solicitó que la Comisión de Valores inicie una investigación basándose en la sección 75(1) de la Ley de Valores (Securities Act) de la provincia de Ontario. JCAP presentó la demanda en nombre de Alerta Minera Canadá y su contraparte en Guatemala, el Comité en Defensa de la Vida y la Paz de San Rafael Las Flores.

“Dado a que este es el único proyecto minero de la empresa, es importante que los accionistas y el público en general sepan que los empleados están implicados en ataques de esta magnitud, además de la constante y extensa oposición a la mina,” comentó Jen Moore de Alerta Minera Canadá.

Las comunidades locales han rechazado rotundamente el proyecto minero Escobal en las 12 consultas comunitarias llevadas a cabo hasta la fecha, y durante tres años se han mantenido en resistencia pacífica a la mina. El proyecto minero Escobal perteneció a Goldcorp Inc. hasta el 2010 y actualmente esta empresa posee 40% de las acciones de Tahoe Resources. En marzo de 2012, el Plan de Pensiones de Canadá (Canada Pension Plan) poseía el equivalente de US$8.7 millones en acciones de la empresa.

Se puede acceder a una copia de la carta entregada a la Comisión de Valores de la provincia de Ontario aquí (en inglés). Para más detalle, descargar esta Alerta para Inversionstas aquí (español). 

Contactos:

Shin Imai, Proyecto Justicia y Responsabilidad Corporativa (Justice and Corporate Accountability Project - JCAP), Facultad de Derecho Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, (tel) 647-524-2312, simai@justice-project.org

Jennifer Moore, Coordinadora del Programa de Latinoamérica, Alerta Minera Canadá, (tel) 613-569-3439, jen@miningwatch.ca

Proyecto Justicia y Responsabilidad Corporativa (JCAP) es una agrupación de abogadas/os y estudiantes de derecho dedicada a la investigación y asesoramiento sobre responsabilidad empresarial en América Latina.

Alerta Minera Canadá es una iniciativa pan-canadiense que cuenta con el apoyo de organizaciones ambientales, de justicia social, sindicales e indígenas, de todo el país. Su objetivo es responder de manera coordinada y en relación al interés público a los temas de salud pública, calidad del agua y aire, hábitat acuático y vida silvestre, e intereses de las comunidades, frente a las amenazas que imponen en estos temas las prácticas y políticas irresponsables sobre minerales en Canadá y en el resto del mundo..