Three things you can do to halt Tahoe Resources' expansion in Guatemala!

For the past five years, communities impacted by Tahoe Resources' Escobal mine in southeastern Guatemala have stood up to peacefully defend their lands and livelihoods. The Diocesan Committee in the Defense of Nature (CODIDENA) has led this movement – organizing and carrying out community referenda in which more than 55,000 people in seven municipalities voted against the silver mine. Despite this clear message, Tahoe and the Guatemalan government have pushed the project forward, using violent repression, criminalization and militarization in an attempt silence the resistance.

But the resistance didn’t go away. Today, thousands of brave women and men continue to seek out new, creative and resilient ways to express their opposition to Tahoe’s Escobal project and to halt the company’s plans to develop more mines in the region.

This October, CODIDENA and NISGUA will visit seven states across the US to call attention to Tahoe's human rights violations in Guatemala and to build solidarity across borders. Upon return, we will meet with the US Embassy in Guatemala to demand accountability for US – Canadian companies operating in Guatemala with impunity but without the consent of impacted communities.

Here are three things you can do to support communities in resistance to Tahoe Resources:

Step 1: Call and Email Your Elected Representatives

Tell the US government: Tahoe Resources contributes to human rights violations in Guatemala!

*Find contact information for your representative by visiting opencongress.org

Hello, my name is ____________________, and I am deeply concerned that North American mining companies are contributing to human rights violations in Guatemala. There is mounting evidence that Tahoe Resources, a company operating in Guatemala with headquarters in Nevada and Vancouver, collaborated with the Guatemalan military and a US private security company to suppress local opposition to their Escobal silver mine through the criminalization of protest and violent repression. Today, military outposts line the highway on either side of the mine, intimidating communities who have consistently and democratically voted against mining in their territory.

The abusive actions of US companies abroad is a US problem and requires US government response. I ask that you share this information and concern with Roberta Jacobson, head of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the US State Department and Todd Robinson, US Ambassador to Guatemala.

Step 2: Join our Thunderclap

Upon return from the tour, we will meet with the US Embassy to raise concerns about human rights violations around the Escobal mine. Show that you stand with CODIDENA in opposing Tahoe Resources in Guatemala by adding your voice to our Thunderclap. The day before the meeting, this messages will be posted from your Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr account along with messages from hundreds of others!

Continue the conversation! During the month of October, directly ask the US Embassy some hard questions about Tahoe’s operations in Guatemala. Here are some samples: 

• #TahoeResources boasts popular support. So why hire a US company with operations in Iraq to develop its security strategy? @usembassyguate
• How can #TahoeResources be allowed to ignore 55,000+ votes against mining by communities neighboring the #Escobal mine? @usembassyguate

Step 3: Show Your Solidarity - a picture is worth 1000 words

Mine-impacted communities want us to know that despite repression and militarization, they are still resisting Tahoe's operations and expansion. Let them know that you stand with them by taking a picture of yourself with a sign expressing your solidarity. Use the hashtag #StillHereWithYou or #SeguimosConUstedes and #TahoeOnTrial. Tag NISGUA on Facebook or Twitter!

Erick Fernando Castillo, one of the men who was
shot outside the Escobal mine, poses in front of the
resistance camp. Photo credit: Giles Clarke 

NISGUA Fall Tour 2014

FULL ITINERARY:

SEATTLE, WA.; OCTOBER 2-6

Area Contact Phil Neff: phil.neff@gmail.com

OCTOBER 2

Seattle University, 1:30-2:30pm

901 12th Avenue

Bannan Building, Room 102

Seattle, WA 98122

Traditions Fair Trade Café; 7-8:30pm

$5-15 Sliding Donation

300 5^th Avenue SW

Olympia, WA 98501

OCTOBER 3
Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center, 5:00pm

With Special Guest: Ken Workman of the Duwamish Tribal Council

$5-15 Sliding Donation

4705 W Marginal Way SW

Seattle, WA 98106

OCTOBER 4

KEXP Radio Interview, 7:15-8:00am

Black Coffee Café; 1:30 - 3:30pm
Cosponsored by Rising Tide Seattle with Sweetwater Nannauck of Idle No More Washington

501 E Pine Street

Seattle, WA

St. Leo's Church Community Event; 6:15-7:45pm
710 S 13th Street
Tacoma, WA

OCTOBER 5

Rest

OCTOBER 6
University of Puget Sound, 12:30pm

Murray Board Room

Wheelock Center

University of Washington, 5:00pm

Allen Auditorium

482 Allen Library

Seattle, WA 98195

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PORTLAND, OR.; OCTOBER 7-8

OCTOBER 7

Lunchtime Talk with Lewis and Clark Law, 12-1pm
Sponsored by the Environmental Justice Advocates at Lewis and Clark Law School

10015 SW Terwilliger Blvd.

Portland, OR 97219

Contact: Jonathan Ostar – jon@opalpdx.org

Buscando America, Radio Program on KBOO Community Radio, 1:10-2:00pm
Listen live at kboo.fm or in Portland, OR at 90.7fm

Community event with American Friends Service Committee, 3:00pm

Multnomah Meeting House

4312 SE Stark Street

Portland, OR 97215

Contact: Pedro Sosa – psosa@afsc.org

Community event with OPAL - Environmental Justice Oregon, 6:00pm

2407 SE 49th Ave. (corner of Division St.)

Portland, OR 97206

Contact: Jonathan Ostar –  jon@opalpdx.org

OCTOBER 8
Portland Community College SE Campus, 11:00am-12:00pm and 12:00-1:00pm

2305 SE 82nd Avenue

Mt. Tabor Hall
Portland, OR 97216

Contact: Kathleen Holloway; khollowa@pcc.edu

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SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA,  CA.; OCTOBER 9-13

Area Contact: Megan Whelan; megan@nisgua.org

 
OCTOBER 9
City College of San Francisco, 10:30am

1125 Valencia Street, Room 109

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University, 2:00pm

1630 Holloway Avenue; Library Room 121

San Francisco, CA

OCTOBER 10

Santa Clara University, 11:45am

500 El Camino Real

Recital Hall (1^st floor in the Music & Dance Facility)

Campus Map: http://www.scu.edu/map/73/

Santa Clara, CA 95053

California Institute for Integral Studies, 7:00pm

1453 Mission Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

OCTOBER 12
Community event at the Mexican Heritage Plaza 10:00am
Sponsored by New Fire, The School for Arts and Culture and Teatro Visión

Lobby Meeting Room

1700 Alum Rock Avenue

San Jose, CA 95116

Indigenous Peoples Day Forum on Resistance and Resilience in the Face of Displacement; 4:30pm

Sponsored by: GABRIELA SF; Movement Generation; New Fire; APEN; AROC

Good Samaritan Family Resource Center

1294 Potrero Avenue

 San Francisco, CA 94110

OCTOBER 13

Indigenous People’s Day Sunrise Ceremony; 5:30am

Alcatraz Island

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WASHINGTON, D.C.; OCTOBER 14-15

OCTOBER 14

Brown Bag Lunch Presentation at the Center for International Environmental Law, 12:00pm

1350 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 1100

Washington, DC 20036
Contact: Amanda Kistler: akistler@ciel.org

OCTOBER 15

Howard University School of Law, 12:00pm

Pauline Murray Conference Room
2900 Van Ness Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Contact:  profsimms@earthlink.net

UUCA/PAG event, 7:00pm

4444 Arlington Boulevard

Arlington, VA 22204

Contact: Erin Fitzgerald; erin.lynn.fitzgerald@comcast.net

Center for Independent Media denounces attacks following its coverage of violence in Alta Verapaz

Below is NISGUA's translation of a press release by Guatemala's Center for Independent Media (CMI-G) regarding attacks suffered as a result of its coverage of the violent eviction of communities opposing the imposition of mega-projects in Alta Verapaz. For the original version in Spanish click here.

CMI denounces attacks following its coverage in Alta Verapaz 

Since a team from Guatemala's Center for Independent Media (CMI-G) began to cover the recent evictions in Alta Verapaz, a chain of attacks was initiated, among those cyber-attacks, which impeded the immediate publication of the information collected during the events. The eviction was carried out by the National Civil Police, the army, and civilians who were accompanying them in an irregular fashion. During these actions, more than 100 families were displaced, five community leaders were captured, and three campesinos were assassinated. These events have yet to be fully investigated.

This region, located in the northern part of the country, is characterized by strong interests surrounding hydroelectric projects; petroleum extraction and mining; as well as mono-culture crops for the production of agro-fuels and other products.

In this context, on the night of August 23, one individual, who resides with the two reporters who covered the previously mentioned evictions, was kidnapped. This person (whose name has been omitted for security reasons) was detained for several hours, and was threatened, beaten, and harassed. Along with the beating, direct threats were made against Gustavo Illescas, the author of the articles about the evictions, and against the work of CMI-G. For this action there are two complaints filed with the Attorney General's Office.

These were not the first attacks. The collective Emancipa Producciones, which forms part of CMI, suffered persecution during their coverage of the student protests (normalistas), and were harassed during the writing of a report about the installation of the Saqja’ hydroelectric dam (located in Purulhá). Attempts were made to impede their presentation of the documentary, “La Propuesta Impuesta”, during a film festival. Furthermore, during the different coverages of the anti-mining resistance “La Puya”, in San José del Golfo, independent journalists suffered intimidations, threats, and attempts to sensor the media. These acts were denounced in national courts. This judicial process — filed together with other alternative media journalists — resulted in the conviction of individuals from the mining company, Exmingua.

These acts of aggressions have coincided with evictions or repression against communities and social movements by the public security forces. In these cases, the business-controlled media outlets have dedicated little or no coverage to the events, or have just repeated the biased discourse of the government. CMI-G has not been the only organization attacked. Richard Busquets, journalist with the Campesino Unity Committee (CUC), has been criminalized and harassed on various occasions; Francisca Gómez Grijalva is expected to be brought to court over an opinion column in which she revealed the abuse of power by Cementos Progreso, among other cases.

CMI-G believes these attacks are concerning and indicate an increasing tendency since the current administration took power. The declarations of the Ministry of the Interior regarding the intention to regulate the circulation of critical content in social networks, as well as the proposed Law 4843 presented by the political party LIDER, represent attempts to create a legal precedent which would serve to accuse social reporters who cover certain themes of spying, terrorism and other crimes. These measures attempt to cause auto-censorship, to promote dis-information, and to isolate communities faced with a scenario of conflict and repression.

As a result, we publicly denounce these attacks. We manifest our solidarity with the people and collectives that suffer from repression, persecution, and government censorship. We demand that the Attorney General's Office conduct an immediate and effective investigation. We demand that the government respect the right to freedom of expression and emission of thought, as well as the physical integrity and work of all of those that document and share information regarding acts that threaten dignity and human rights. Without these guarantees, a real democracy is impossible.

Say No to State Department funds for Guatemalan Army

Join NISGUA and GHRC in calling on Secretary of State John Kerry to deny certification of DOS funds to Guatemala

"We need more teachers and not military brigades." Photo: PrensaComunitaria

Guatemala’s UN Truth Commission report not only attributes 93% of all human rights violations and acts of violence to the Guatemalan State, which included over 600 massacres, it also finds the US responsible for playing a large role in providing military assistance and training to the Guatemalan Army during the conflict. It was not until 1990, seven years after the most violent period of Guatemala's internal armed conflict, that the US enacted a full ban on Department of State aid to the Guatemalan Army. Over the past two decades, restrictions on the ban have been weakened. Now, we face the possibility of seeing the restrictions lifted completely.

Currently, State Department funds may only go to the Guatemalan Army if the Secretary of State certifies that the Army:

1. Has a narrowly defined mission focused on border security and external threats, and a credible plan to end the Army’s involvement in internal law enforcement.
2. Cooperates with civilian investigations and prosecutions of human rights cases involving current and retired military officers.
3. Publicly discloses all military archival documents related to the internal armed conflict in a timely manner in response to requests by civilian judicial authorities.

In addition, this year, the US Congress approved special conditions for reinstatement of aid, contingent upon the Guatemalan government taking credible steps toward implementing the 2010 reparations plan for the communities affected by the Chixoy Hydroelectric Dam. Over 3,000 people were affected by the dam, including 444 people massacred and several communities completely inundated when the dam was built in the early 1980s.

Otto Pérez Molina in Santa Cruz Barillas with soldiers and special forces Kaibiles.
Photo: Simone Dalmass

The persecution, criminalization and repression carried out by Otto Pérez Molina’s military government and the Guatemalan state aim to minimize or put an end to the opposition to the implementation of mining exploitation projects.  --- Departmental Assembly of Huehuetenango (ADH) 

Why should the US maintain restrictions on military aid?

• Survivors have not seen justice for the atrocities carried out by the military. This neglect has been demonstrated by survivors of the Guatemalan genocide who have filed a complaint in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against the Guatemalan State for the denial of justice to witnesses involved in the genocide trial
• Peaceful communities have suffered military repression, and leaders are increasingly criminalized for their work defending human rights, territory and natural resources.
• Guatemala clearly does not meet conditions necessary to receive military aid defined by the US Department of State, as the Guatemalan Army expands its role in law enforcement, and refuses to disclose some documents related to the internal armed conflict.

Take action today!

Download NISGUA's Background on US Military Aid to Guatemala for additional information. Print our petition in English or Spanish, circulate it in your community and mail to: NISGUA PO Box 70494 Oakland, CA 94612.

ACODET denounces attempt to militarize communities opposing Xalalá dam

According to a secret contract signed between Guatemala's National Electrification Institute (INDE) and Brazilian Intertechne Consultores S.A., geological studies necessary to begin construction on the Xalalá dam are to begin in March 2014. Communities organized in defense of territory, who have opposed the dam's construction for years, denounced the arrival of a military and police convoy to the region on February 25. They roundly reject the government's suggestion of drug activity in their communities and question the timing and location of the incursion.

Read the full communiqué from the Association for Development, Defense of Territory and Natural Resources (ACODET) below.

This past Tuesday, February 25, 2014, [Guatemalan radio station] Radio Sonora reported an announcement by the Minister of the Interior stating that he had received a complaint regarding the presence of drug traffickers in the community of Xalalá, in the municipality of Ixcán. He stated that Mr. Enrique Cajbón had filed the complaint. Radio Sonora began circulating this information before noon.

Around 5 PM the same day, a convoy made up of one truck and four army pick-ups, together with two National Civilian Police (PNC) vehicles, arrived at the crossing near the Copón River bridge, near communities threatened by the construction of the Xalalá dam.

Our community authorities approached those in charge of the army and police contingent to ask for an explanation of their presence in our territory. They responded that they had received a citizen complaint denouncing a supposed shipment of drugs destined for the community of Xalalá. After Mr. Enrique Cajbón presented himself to the authorities, the police admitted that Mr. Cajbón was not the person who filed the complaint and they promised to present a copy of the complaint to our community authorities the next day. After signing an agreement of clarification with our community authorities, the army and police returned to Playa Grande, Ixcán. The next day, local authorities went to the National Police station in Ixcán, but were not provided a copy of the complaint. As a result of our authorities’ instance that they be given a copy of the complaint, the agent, who the day before had promised to produce the document, warned that helicopters might land in our communities in the coming days.

It is relevant to mention that last November the Guatemalan National Electrification Institute (INDE) signed a contract with Brazilian company, Intertechne Consultores S.A., to complete feasibility assessments for the Xalalá dam. The geological feasibility studies are scheduled to be carried out in March 2014 in the communities that make up our territory. The community of Xalalá, in the municipality of Ixcán, is the precise location that INDE used at the beginning of the 80s to carry out the first geological studies on the Xalalá hydroelectric project.

In light of these events, we, the Maya Q’eqchi’ communities threatened by the construction of the Xalalá dam, organized in the association ACODET express:

1. In our communities we all know one another. We use our lands to produce our food, we do not know of, nor do we accept, the presence of organized crime groups or use of our territory by such groups.
2. No clandestine landing strip exists in Xalalá. There is a green space in the center of the community that was previously used as a landing strip but is currently used as a football field and communal space for grazing our domesticated animals. It is not equipped for small plane landings.
3. Mr. Enrique Cajbón, a Maya Q’eqchi’ member of the ancestral indigenous authority of the community of Xalalá, never filed the alleged complaint. No other members of our local authorities were informed of such a complaint, nor was the army’s protection requested.
4. We find it very strange that the Ministry of the Interior published via the radio, and with anticipation, plans for an operative supposedly intended to capture drug traffickers.
5. Based on these events, we believe that the government is trying to frighten our communities, delegitimize our resistance to the imposition of the Xalalá dam and justify a military presence in our territory.
6. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples states: “Military activities shall not take place in the lands or territories of indigenous peoples, unless justified by a relevant public interest or otherwise freely agreed with or requested by the indigenous peoples concerned. States shall undertake effective consultations with the indigenous peoples concerned, through appropriate procedures and in particular through their representative institutions, prior to using their lands or territories for military activities.” (Article 30)

Association for Development, Defense of Territory and Natural Resources

ACODET

Playa Grande, Ixcán February 28, 2014

Communiqué denouncing recent repression in Northern Huehuetenango

On September 28, conflict erupted again in Northern Huehuetenango in response to the imposition of Spanish-owned Cambalam hydro-electric project in Santa Cruz Barillas. Despite ongoing criminalization and repression, community members continue to demand respect for the 2007 community consultation rejecting large-scale development projects in their territory.


During his September 3 visit to Barillas, President Otto Pérez Molina hailed hydro-electric projects as the future of development in the region and announced the establishment of a dialogue round table, supposedly to address ongoing community opposition to the projects. In the end, the promise of dialogue remained unfulfilled; the conversation did not take place, as the president failed to attend the meeting scheduled for September 19. While the public discourse has advocated for negotiation with communities, in practice, the government has consistently responded to popular opposition with militarization, repression and criminalization.

In the communique below, the Western Peoples' Council and the Departmental Assembly of Huehuetenango denounce this new wave of violence and militarization and call for international solidarity, the cancellation of licenses for controversial mega-projects and respect for community right to consultation.

We denounce before the international and national community: The current aggression against the Q'anjob'al, Akateko, Chuj and mestizo peoples in Northern Huehuetenango by the President and Commander of Chief of the national army, General Otto Fernando Pérez Molina, who in a recent press conference highlighted the importance of water, mineral, oil and forest resources.

These aggressions are part of a new process of transnational invasion, protected by the government in power, who take turns implementing projects of plunder in the name of false development. These actions are framed within a strategy of counterinsurgency and make us remember and relive the internal armed conflict of the 1980s during which the army orchestrated plans of aggression and violated civil society's fundamental human rights.

On September 28-30 of this year, the government used low flying helicopters, armored vehicles, army troops and National Civil Police (PNC) special forces units to terrorize the population. This strategy of invasion, which disproportionately uses police and military forces characteristic of a state of war, resulted in one civilian death and many injured.  This result is the unforgivable responsibility of the government.

This repressive and terrorist behavior attempts to paralyze communities' pacific and legitimate struggle in defense of territory. The licenses [for mega-projects] have been granted to companies in territories where we exist and live, and that we have been caring for during thousands of years. We will not allow our territories to be destroyed.

THEREFORE: We call on the international and national community to speak out and show solidarity with the people of Guatemala. We will remain vigilant and in permanent observation of the human and collective rights of the people, as attacks against the civilian population of Barillas continue.

WE DEMAND:
1. The government and its ministries respect the human and collective rights of the people, and that they stop lying to and confusing the national and international community.
2. The withdrawal of all army and PNC special forces troops in Northern Huehuetenango in order to guarantee the protection of human rights and not to serve transnational companies.
3. The cancellation of mining, hydroelectric, oil and other mega-project licenses that have been granted in Huehuetenango and which are responsible for undermining peace and liberty.
4. Respect for community consultations carried out   from 2006 to the present.

The Q'anjob'al, Chuj, Akateko and mestizo people have historically cared for territory for the benefit of everyone, including future generations. We only want to be treated as people and to be allowed to live freely in peace and harmony with Mother Nature.

Departmental Assembly of Huehuetenango (ADH)
Members of the Western Peoples' Council (CPO)

Huehuetenango, September 30, 2013

Guatemalan gov't declares state of siege in municipalities surrounding Tahoe Escobal mine

During the early hours of Thursday, May 2, one day after the first anniversary of the state of siege in Santa Cruz de Barillas, Huehuetenango, the Guatemalan government declared another state of siege in four municipalities surrounding Tahoe Resources’ Escobal mine. The imposition of martial law comes less than one month after Minera San Rafael, Tahoe Resources wholly-owned Guatemala subsidiary, received its final permit for mineral exploitation. The permit was granted without the consent of the affected communities and in a context of escalating violence and criminalization against human rights defenders and their legal council.

Over the past three years, four municipalities, including two of those currently under a state of siege, carried out municipal level community referenda rejecting mining projects in their territory. During the past two months, eight villages in San Rafael Las Flores have carried out community referenda, given that attempts to organize a municipal level consultation were thwarted by legal appeals and injunctions filed by individuals who work for Minera San Rafael. In each of these referenda, the population voted overwhelmingly against the Escobal project.

"With the referedum we decide our future" Banner of the Committee in Defense of Life and Peace (Photo: NISGUA)

In a press conference yesterday, President Otto Pérez Molina and Minister of the Interior Mauricio López Bonilla explained that the suspension of basic civil liberties is in effect for the municipalities of Casillas and San Rafael Las Flores, in the department of Santa Rosa, as well as Jalapa and Mataquescuintla, in the department of Jalapa.

State of siege in Santa Rosa and Jalapa (Photo: MiMundo.org)

While Pérez Molina and López Bonilla claim the state of siege is not in response to mine opposition, their actions suggest otherwise. Prominent community activists, members of the Committee in Defense of Life and Peace, and leaders of the community referenda in San Rafael, had their homes raided by police early Thursday morning. The government has issued at least 18 arrest warrants for individuals allegedly involved in delinquent acts, including Roberto Gonzalez president of the Xinca Parliament and Rudy Pirvaral of the Committee in Defense of Life and Peace.

In statements to the press Bonilla attempted to explain that mining opposition has been used as a pretext for the establishment of organized crime in the region. "There is a difference between legitimate conflict and pseudo-conflict...by saying that they are opposing [the mine] through delinquent acts, they are hiding behind the excuse of mining opposition. It favors them to make people believe that there is conflict over mining in all of the municipalities."

State of siege in Santa Rosa and Jalapa (Photo: MiMundo.org)

The past week has seen an increase in conflict and violence in the departments surrounding the mine site.

On Saturday, April 27 mine security shot at and injured six community members, as they walked on a public road located in front of the mine installations. One of the men remain in the hospital in critical condition. Alberto Rotondo, head of security for Tahoe Resources' subsidiary, Minera San Rafael, is being held responsible for the attack. Medical personnel confirmed the attack was carried out with live ammunition, as well as rubber bullets, despite initial declarations from the company and López Bonilla which claimed only non-lethal measures were used. On the morning of April 30, Guatemalan authorities arrested Rotondo in the airport as he attempted to flee the country. Rotondo has been formally charged with attempted homicide.

On Monday the 29th, as Minera San Rafael management and the Guatemalan government signed an agreement outlining the royalties to be paid to the state, more than 2,000 residents of San Rafael Las Flores took to the streets in a peaceful march in opposition to the mine project. Later that afternoon, community members intercepted and detained 23 members of the national police in Jalapa, believing that they were mobilizing to repress the march in San Rafael. An operation carried out by the national police the following day resulted in the release of the officers.

Later that same day, a member of the National Police was killed in an armed attack carried out by a group of masked men in Sabana Redonda, a community located near the mine site. While this incident is still under investigation by Guatemalan authorities, the attack matches the pattern previously denounced by human rights organizations, which is characterized by illegal clandestine groups intent on creating instability in the region and delegitimizing peaceful opposition to the mine.

These recent events highlight the need for an in-depth investigation into the attacks and violence being carried out in communities surrounding the mine site, as was called for in the petition of over 4,000 signatures delivered by NISGUA to Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor’s office in early April.

Despite government claims on Thursday that they are in dialogue with mine affected communities, the deployment of 8,500 military and police to the four municipalities suggests otherwise. Far from acting as a mediator, the Guatemalan government has instead chosen to respond to conflict with the repression of communities opposing large-scale development projects and the stigmatization of community leaders and human rights defenders.

NISGUA has been accompanying the consultation processes in the communities surrounding the Tahoe Resources mine site since 2011.