GHRC and NISGUA hand over 2800 signatures demanding the release of Rubén Herrera

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Since Friday, March 15, Rubén Herrera, member of the Departmental Assembly of Huehuetenango for the Defense of Natural Resources has been imprisoned in Huehuetenango, Guatemalaemala. He is charged with crimes including kidnapping and terrorism allegedly committed in relation to resistance to the Cambalam hydroelectric dam, operated by Spanish owned Hidro Santa Cruz. Citing irregularities in his case, over 2800 people from 52 countries have signed a petition to Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor’s Office and President Otto Pérez Molina calling for Herrera’s immediate release. On May 22, GHRC and NISGUA staff handed over the signatures to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Ante el estado de sitio en Santa Rosa y Jalapa, Guatemala

La Comisión de Derechos Humanos de Guatemala expresa su profunda preocupación frente a la imposición de un estado de sitio en dos municipios del departamento de Jalapa y dos de Santa Rosa, que viene como parte de un patrón de ataques contra las comunidades, sus líderes y otros defensores de derechos humanos.

La Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos (UDEFEGUA), ha registrado 328 agresiones en contra de defensores en lo que va del año 2013. Los que se oponen a proyectos mineros han sido víctimas de una gran parte de estas agresiones. Trágicamente, estos hechos rara vez resultan en investigaciones adecuadas y en la sanción de los responsables, contribuyendo a un ambiente peligroso de impunidad.

Ahora, a un año de haber decretado estado de sitio en el municipio de Barillas Huehuetenango, el día 2 de mayo el gobierno de Otto Pérez Molina, decretó estado de sitio en los municipios de Jalapa y Mataquescuintla del Departamento de Jalapa y los municipios de Casillas y San Rafael las Flores del Departamento de Santa Rosa.

El informe de verificación realizado por Waqib Kej, ha registrado abusos de autoridad, intimidación hacia la población, el uso desmesurado de la fuerza, irrespeto a la población, especialmente hacia las mujeres al momento de realizar los allanamientos a sus casas, robos de bienes y dinero durante los registros de los hogares, incluso se habla de la muerte de un menor de edad, como consecuencia de que su madre, al iniciar labor de parto no pudo salir para ser atendida.

Nos preocupa considerablemente la reiteración del uso de la figura del estado de sitio, sobre todo cuando se aprovecha para perseguir y detener a líderes comunitarios, defensores de derechos humanos de sus comunidades. Las comunidades han sido enfáticas a través de consultas comunitarias de buena fe, que el gobierno no ha querido reconocer y que peor aún obvia y concede licencias a proyectos mineros.

Otro elemento que preocupa son las declaraciones dadas por el Ministro de Gobernación Mauricio López Bonilla y el Presidente de la República a medios de comunicación que pretenden confundir y señalan que el estado de sitio se estableció porque en los lugares se realizan actividades de narcotráfico, sicariato, crimen organizado. Señalan que nada tiene que ver el desacuerdo de la población a la minería, pero ya se han realizado varios allanamientos a las viviendas de lideres. A la vez, han hecho señalamientos directos hacia el Parlamento Xinca y hay órdenes de captura para algunos de sus miembros.

López Bonilla afirmó que las personas capturadas hasta el momento no forman parte de estructuras del narcotráfico, pero sí de bandas dedicadas al sicariato, extorsión y otros delitos. Hay más de 40 órdenes de captura vigentes y hasta el momento se han realizado 18 detenciones.

En Santa Rosa y Jalapa, la gran mayoría de los pobladores afectados por el estado de sitio ejercían su derecho de defender su medio ambiente, en el caso de San Rafael las Flores la población realizaba una manifestación pacífica cerca de las instalaciones del proyecto El Escobal, de la Minera San Rafael, S.A., subsidiaria de la empresa canadiense Tahoe Resources.

Manifestamos nuestra preocupación sobre el uso de la militarización y la suspensión de los derechos constitucionales y exhortamos a las autoridades guatemaltecas para que actúen con respeto a los derechos humanos de la población.

Weekly News Round-Up, March 18-25

Day 1 of Genocide Trial
On March 19, 2013, the historic trial opened against Rios Montt and Rodríguez Sánchez. After almost two hours of delays by the Defense, the trial began. The public prosecutor stated that the objective of military operational plans under Ríos Montt was the destruction of the Mayan Ixil population as part of a counter-insurgency campaign that characterized civilians of this ethnic and linguistic minority as an “internal enemy”. Attorney Edgar Pérez rejected assertions that the act of seeking justice is itself an act of terrorism or an effort to destabilize Guatemalan society. Political pressure on the actors involved has been intense, and just before the trial begain, President Otto Perez Molina’s denied that genocide took place. Perez told reporters: “It is important to state it because I lived it: there was no genocide in Guatemala.” Marcie Mersky, Program Director at the International Center for Transitional Justice, says such comments may influence legal proceedings and are inappropriate.

Lolita Chávez participates in month-long speaking tour in Canada and US
In events in Montreal, Ottowa, Vancouver, BC and Washington, DC, Lolita Chavez spoke about the work of the K’iche’ People’s Council and community resistance to harmful transnational development projects. In an interview with Montreal Gazette, Lolita stated that: “Canadian companies are the main protagonists in this invasion that brings only death and destruction.” A short video interview is available here.

GHRC Condemns Attack against Xinca Leaders in Santa Maria Xalapán

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The Guatemala Human Rights Commission (GHRC) condemns the killing of Exaltación Marcos, who along with Roberto González, Rigoberto Aguilar and Roberto López, was kidnapped yesterday evening, March 17, by a group of heavily armed men.

The four leaders were abducted while returning home from a good-faith consultation in the El Volcancito community, San Rafael Las Flores, Guatemala.

Hours after the abduction, Rigoberto Aguilar and Roberto López managed to escape and reach their community.  They had both been badly beaten. Today, Exaltación Marcos was found dead, with his body displaying signs of physical violence. The Santa María Xalapán community now fears for the life of Roberto González, President of the Xinca Parliament, who is still missing.

Weekly News Round Up Feb. 23-Mar.5

Constitutional Court upholds case closure for Efraín Bámaca’s disappearance
The Constitutional Court (CC) has confirmed the closure of the criminal case involving the forced disappearance of Efraín Bámaca. In March 2011, Bámaca’s widow, Jennifer Harbury, brought a criminal complaint against then presidential candidate Pérez Molina for his role in her husband’s disappearance and death. Bámaca (alias Comandante Everardo) disappeared in 1992. According to the military, he committed suicide, but Harbury says that he was actually detained, tortured and killed. In December 2010, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered the Guatemalan government to re-investigate the case of Bámaca’s forced disappearance. Harbury’s lawyer has indicated that he will take action against Pérez Molina for not fulfilling the IACHR’s demands for a re-investigation of the case.

Constitutional Court rejects legal action filed by Toto indigenous leaders
The Constitutional Court (CC) unanimously rejected the legal action filed by the 48 cantones of Totonicapán against the Mining Law. The court’s decision called on Congress to regulate consultation with indigenous communities as established in ILO Convention number 169. The plaintiffs argue that the Mining Law was issued when there was still a right to consultation under the ILO convention and therefore the law is unconstitutional because it does not respect that right. The trial against the soldiers who fired on the group of protesters in Totonicapán last year is still ongoing. One of the defense lawyers for the accused soldiers says that he will ask for an acquittal. He says that his clients were motivated by “an overwhelming fear”, and thus they are innocent.

Weekly News Round Up Feb. 18-22

Genocide Trial date moved from August 14th to March 19th
The trial for José Efraín Ríos Montt and José Rodriguez has officially been rescheduled. The trial is now set to begin on March 19th 2013. Judge Jazmín Barrios rejected a recusal presented by Ríos Montt’s defense against the First Court of High Risk.

US Southern Command General John Kelly makes an official visit to Guatemala
The General arrived on February 20th for a two day visit to the country. According to diplomatic sources, the purpose of the trip is to analyze and discuss issues of bilateral security, such as drug trafficking and organized crime, with Guatemalan officials.

Weekly News Round Up Feb. 12-18

Communities deny participation in new attack on Hidro Santa Cruz in Barillas
The Spanish-owned hydroelectric company is claiming that on the night of February 17, a group of 15-20 people closed off the entryway and entered the construction site where they damaged equipment. The community, which resumed peaceful protests against the hydroelectric project on the 15th, says that it had nothing to do with the attacks. Community leaders insist that, as of now, they do not know who is responsible for these events. Actions such as these have, in some cases, been carried out by people linked to a company in order justify a greater police or military presence to protect its economic interests.

Meanwhile, Otto Pérez Molina spoke to Spanish businesses about investing in Guatemala. In a speech before a group of Spanish businessmen and several government officials, President Pérez Molina emphasized the need for more foreign direct investment in his country. Highlighting the abundant hydroelectric and mining resources in Guatemala, and projects that like in Barillas, he claimed that conflicts around resource extraction projects are simply a product of misinformation put forth by environmental groups, which have been “fully identified and controlled.”

Eight soldiers and one colonel will go to trial for Totonicapán killings
Colonel Juan Chiroy and eight of his soldiers will not be tried for the crime of extrajudicial execution in the killing of six protesters in Totonicapán in October of last year. Instead, the colonel is charged with breach of duty while the soldiers are charged with breach of duty and “murder in a state of violent emotion.” Judge Carol Patricia Flores determined that the soldiers fired in self-defense. On February 19th, the Public Prosecutor’s Office presented a recusal against Judge Flores.

IACHR mediation to prevent contamination in El Salvador by Guatemalan mining
On January 10, the Salvadoran Human Rights Ombudsman Office (PDH) asked the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) to mediate in order to prevent potential contamination by the Cerro Blanco mine. The gold mine is property of the Canadian company Goldcorp Inc. and is located in Guatemala near the border with El Salvador, in a region that could affect 600,000 people. It sits near the source of the water basins for El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. On February 12, Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes announced the creation ofa commission to investigate the impact of the mine. Despite concerns from many Salvadoran institutions, including the Catholic Church of El Salvador, about the dangers of the Cerro Blanco mining project, President Pérez Molina has rejected the notion that the project poses a risk of contamination. He also announced plans to resolve the conflict surrounding the mine by holding a meeting with the Salvadoran government next week.

Search for missing persons from 1983 
The program ‘Todos por el Reencuentro’ made an appeal to the Supreme Court of Justice regarding the search for 9 disappeared persons in 1983. The case began with 24 children who, in 1983, were taken to a military base in Cobán. Fourteen were found adopted in Italy and one in the capital. The program will petition Congress to ratify the International Convention Against Forced Disappearances, which Guatemala signed in 2006.

Héctor Mario López Fuentes will not stand trial
82-year-old Former Minister of Defense, Héctor Mario López Fuentes, will not be tried for genocide and crimes against humanity after a new report by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences concluded that he does not have full use of his mental faculties. The report states that he does not have the capability to understand and express himself adequately in court. His poor health, including hearing, speech and vision problems, is being blamed on the fact that he has suffered from a stroke, and has multiple myeloma and bladder and prostate cancer. His attorney has also recused the judge in charge of his trial.

GHRC and Guatemalan groups express support for PBI and international accompaniment

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IN RESPONSE TO THE CRIMINALIZATION OF PEACE BRIGADES INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACCOMPANIMENT

In the last few months, individuals and government officials have made public statements, to national and international audiences, which stigmatize and criminalize the work of human rights defenders who accompany communities and organizations working to promote the defense of human rights at the local level.

The use of defamation and criminalization is an attempt to isolate human rights defenders who, in their local context, confront power dynamics that not only exclude citizen participation, but that are based on discrimination, and are intolerant and violent. These interests seek to co-opt public opinion in order to open the doors to commercial practices which, in large part, turn their back on the rights of indigenous peoples, rights which are enshrined in International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 169.

The “Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,” or the “Declaration on Defenders,” recognizes not only the rights and responsibilities of human rights defenders, but also the obligation of the State to protect defenders as they carry out their work, including activities in opposition to the policies or arbitrary actions of the State.

In this framework, international accompaniment in Guatemala – and in other countries – has been a non-governmental protection mechanism supported by citizens and governments around the world. International accompaniment bears witness to the situation in which defenders live, and seeks to halt physical aggression against them. During the peace process in Guatemala, it was recognized that the accompaniment provided by groups like Peace Brigades International and other organizations was invaluable in creating a favorable environment towards the end of the negotiations that culminated with the signing of the Peace Accords.

Today, confronted with new challenges as a society, the role of Peace Brigades International and international accompaniment is vital to assuring a space for dialogue and to preventing us from falling back into a spiral of political violence and ideological polarization in discussions about the use of our wealth of natural resources. It is for that reason that:

1.     WE REJECT the accusation expressed against Peace Brigades International and we affirm not only the apolitical, neutral and non-violent nature of the organization, but also the role it plays in the protection of human rights defenders in Guatemala.

2.     WE CONDEMN the accusations and criminalization launched against Daniel Pascual, CUC, and other social and human rights organizations that promote integral development and environmental protection.

3.     WE CALL on the Guatemalan Government to reaffirm its intention, expressed in the Declaration on Defenders, to promote the defense of human rights and the protection of defenders. Specifically, the activities carried out in support of people and communities that defend human rights require public support, as do the groups and people that defend human rights by accompanying defenders.

Guatemala, February 5, 2013

CONVERGENCIA POR LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS: Centro de Análisis Forense y Ciencias Aplicadas –CAFCA-; Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social de Guatemala –CALAS-; Centro Internacional para Investigaciones en Derechos Humanos –CIIDH-; Centro para la Acción Legal en Derechos Humanos –CALDH-; Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial –ECAP-; Asociación El Refugio de la Niñez; Fundación Sobrevivientes; Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales de Guatemala –ICCPG-; Oficina de Derechos Humanos del Arzobispado de Guatemala –ODHAG-; Seguridad en Democracia –SEDEM-; Unión Nacional de Mujeres Guatemaltecas –UNAMG-; Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos –UDEFEGUA. Centro de Estudios de Guatemala. Sector de Mujeres. Comisión de los Derechos Humanos de Guatemala en EEUU.

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ANTE LA CRIMINALIZACIÓN DE BRIGADAS DE PAZ INTERNACIONALES Y EL ACOMPAÑAMIENTO INTERNACIONAL

En los últimos meses, personas particulares y funcionarios públicos han vertido opiniones a la opinión pública nacional e internacional, en las cuales se estigmatiza y criminaliza la labor de defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos que acompañan a comunidades y organizaciones que trabajan en la promoción y defensa de derechos humanos en el ámbito local.

Las dinámicas de difamación y criminalización buscan aislar a los defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos que desde su ámbito local enfrentan dinámicas de poder que no solo excluyen la participación ciudadana, sino que parten de la discriminación, son intolerantes y violentas y buscan cooptar conciencias para abrir las puertas a dinámicas empresariales, que en gran medida, dan la espalda a los derechos de los pueblos indígenas consagrados en el Convenio 169 de la Organización Internacional de Trabajo (OIT).

La “Declaración Universal del Derecho y Deber de toda persona, organización e institución para Defender y Promover Derechos Humanos y Libertades Universalmente Reconocidos” o “Declaración de Defensores” reconoce no sólo el derecho y el deber de defender derechos humanos, sino también la obligación del Estado de proteger a los defensores y defensoras en la realización de su actividad, incluidas aquellas acciones de oposición a políticas públicas o acciones arbitrarias.

En ese marco, el acompañamiento internacional ha sido en Guatemala -y en otros países- un mecanismo de protección no estatal apoyado por ciudadanos y gobiernos alrededor del mundo. El acompañamiento internacional es un testigo de la situación que viven los defensores y defensoras y buscan detener la agresión física hacia los mismos. En Guatemala, durante el proceso de paz, se reconoció que el acompañamiento brindado por organizaciones como Brigadas de Paz Internacional y otras organizaciones fue invaluable para crear un ambiente propicio hacia el final del proceso de negociación que culminó con la firma de la paz.

Hoy, ante los nuevos retos que enfrentamos como sociedad, el rol de Brigadas de Paz Internacional y del acompañamiento internacional es vital para permitir que el espacio del diálogo pueda darse y que no caigamos en una espiral de violencia política y polarización ideológica en la discusión sobre el uso de nuestras riquezas naturales. Es por ello que,

1. RECHAZAMOS los señalamientos vertidos en contra de Brigadas de Paz Internacional y reafirmamos no sólo la naturaleza apartidaria, neutral y no violenta de la organización; sino también el rol que cumple en la protección de defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos en Guatemala.

2. CONDENAMOS los señalamientos y criminalización que se impulsa en contra de Daniel Pascual, el CUC y otras organizaciones sociales y de derechos humanos que promueven el desarrollo integral y la protección ambiental.

3. LLAMAMOS al Gobierno de Guatemala a reafirmar su voluntad expresada en la Declaración de Defensores de promover la defensa de derechos humanos y la protección a defensoras y defensores de derechos humanos. Particularmente, se requiere del apoyo público a las acciones realizadas a favor de personas y comunidades que defienden derechos humanos y los grupos y personas que defienden derechos humanos acompañando a las mismas.

 Guatemala, 5 de febrero de 2013

CONVERGENCIA POR LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS: Centro de Análisis Forense y Ciencias Aplicadas –CAFCA-; Centro de Acción Legal Ambiental y Social de Guatemala –CALAS-; Centro Internacional para Investigaciones en Derechos Humanos –CIIDH-; Centro para la Acción Legal en Derechos Humanos –CALDH-; Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial –ECAP-; Asociación El Refugio de la Niñez; Fundación Sobrevivientes; Instituto de Estudios Comparados en Ciencias Penales de Guatemala –ICCPG-; Oficina de Derechos Humanos del Arzobispado de Guatemala –ODHAG-; Seguridad en Democracia –SEDEM-; Unión Nacional de Mujeres Guatemaltecas –UNAMG-; Unidad de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Derechos Humanos –UDEFEGUA. Centro de Estudios de Guatemala. Sector de Mujeres. Comisión de los Derechos Humanos de Guatemala en EEUU.

January News Round Up

Ríos Montt on trial for genocide and crimes against humanity
The trial against former head of state Ríos Montt and along with former general José Rodríguez, began on January 30th, two days after Judge Ángel Gálvez announced his decision to try the two men for genocide and crimes against humanity. The much-anticipated announcement drew a large crowd which included many survivors of the armed conflict as well as journalists, retired military personnel, and human rights activists. The decision was hailed as a victory for the victims of one of the most violent conflicts in Central America.

Spanish delegation comments on conflict in Santa Cruz Barillas
A group of Spanish representatives on a mission to investigate human rights in Guatemala held a press conference last week to talk about several of the cases they looked into during their visit. One of the cases that they highlighted was the conflict in Santa Cruz Barillas, Huehuetenango surrounding the dam proposed by the Hidro Santa Cruz energy company. One Spanish representative expressed concern for the human rights violations there including the assassination of a community member, illegally long detentions of political prisoners and the absence of a means of democratic communication between the community members and authorities. Another representative, Josep Nuet, expressed a desire for Hidro Santa Cruz to start the project anew, this time with the input of the community.

Limitations on the Inter-American Court of Human Rights repealed
The executive branch announced on January 17th Government Agreement number 30-2013, which repealed an earlier decision to not recognize the jurisdiction of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on violations prior to February, 1987. The original agreement (number 370), which was announced on January 2nd, was met with much criticism, forcing the President to suspend it the next day.

An analysis of President Perez Molina’s first year in office
During his first year in office, President Pérez Molina launched the Cero Hambre and Bolsa Segura programs to combat malnutrition and hunger. His critics allege that these programs have not yet reached much of the at-risk population and have not done enough to break the cycle of poverty. Credit should be given to the attorney general, police commissioner, and interior minister, and the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala for the improvements in the murder rate as well as the security situation. “In 2012, Guatemala recorded 5,174 homicides, approximately 500 fewer than in Colom’s last year, thereby reducing the country’s murder rate from 39 to 34 per 100,000. However, while the government’s increased reliance on the military and mano dura policies has not led to an increase in homicides, there is good reason to be concerned with the government’s increasing reliance on the military to perform acts better suited for police.” writes Mike Allison.

Defense Ministry blocks access to military records from 1982
The Minister of Defense, Ulises Noé Anzueto, has declared that military documents from 1982 shall remain classified. Last month the Office of Human Rights requested access to specific documents detailing Army General Orders for Officers from that year. Military officials have stated that the documents contain sensitive information pertaining to the “structure, composition, size, strength and weaponry” used by the army and therefore cannot be released. GAM (Grupo de Apoyo Mutuo) rejected the Defense Ministry’s decision, saying that it is necessary for the public to have access to this information and that their refusal to release the documents violates the Law of Access to Public Information (LAIP). According to the Defense Ministry, the documents must remain classified for another seven years.

President Pérez Molina talks about drug reform and ‘alternative’ approaches to dealing with gangs
The Guatemalan president indicated that he would be open to alternative ways of dealing with the gang problem in his country, including negotiating a dialogue between rival groups. After the success of this strategy in neighboring El Salvador, Guatemalan officials were hopeful about the outcome of such ‘alternative’ ways of dealing with this issue although Pérez did warn that the nature of the Salvadorian gang problem was different than that in Guatemala. The President’s comments were made at the World Economic Forum, where he also claimed that reforming prohibitionist drug laws would reduce drug violence by half. More recently, the Minister of the Interior announced a new heroin poppy crop substitution program.

Conflict and violence at San Rafael mine
A violent attack on the San Rafael Las Flores mine took place sometime in the night between January 11th and 12th. The citizens of the town, who have been peacefully protesting the mine for several months, became worried as news of the event spread. At least two of the mine’s workers were killed during the night and several others were injured in what appears to be a well-planned attack from an unknown source. Unfortunately, reports soon circulated blaming the local population for creating unrest in the community. Minister of the Interior, Mauricio López Bonilla, claimed that the attack was an act of terror connected to drug-traffickers and hired hitmen. Most media reports failed to highlight the non-violent efforts of community members over the past few months to stop the company from violating their rights. Community members insist that they stand in opposition to the mining company, not the people of San Rafael.

Security guards at Marlin mine shoot at workers
On January 8th, guards at the Marlin mine in San Miguel Ixtahuacán, San Marcos shot at and wounded nine mine workers who are protesting against the mining company, Montana Exploradora of Guatemala. The workers were protesting for the right to employment benefits. The company has been coercing its workers to sign employment contracts which do not allow them to receive any benefits for working in the mine.

Human Rights Ombudsman says the state has failed to consult local populations about hydroelectric and mining projects
Jorge de León Duque went before the Court of Constitutionality to testify the that State of Guatemala has not been respecting the human rights of the indigenous communities whose lands are being used for hydroelectric and mining purposes. He points to the fact that the government and energy companies have been ignoring the input of the communities where these projects are being built.

Military increasing role in citizen security
President Pérez Molina has order the Ministry of Defense to develop a plan to increase military involvement in both citizen and border security. The president indicated that he would not back down when it comes to matters of security, especially after the news of increased violence in January. The Catholic Church has expressed a concern over the remilitarization of the country. Following a meeting between the President, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense, Perez Molina announced that they were looking into the possibility of declaring a state of emergency in those areas of the country that have been most affected by violence.

A tense situation faces community members of San Antonio Las Trojes 1, San Juan Sacatepéquez
The community has opposed the construction of a cement factory for Cementos Progreso since 2006. In spite of their protests, the company has brought heavy machinery to the community to build a well, as well as threatened and assaulted both a visiting verification commission and local leaders. Since January 28th, over 5,000 people have maintained a daily, nonviolent protest in front of the cement factory to denounce the acts of violence and intimidation, and to demand that their rights be respected.

Winner of 2012 Alice Zachmann Human Rights Defender Award Announced

We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Alice Zachmann Human Rights Defender Award: The communities of San Pedro Ayampuc and San José del Golfo, who are peacefully defending their right to a healthy environment.

“Mining exploitation is contamination. Don’t sell your land. Yes to life!” (photo:mimundo.org)

For the past five months, members of these communities have bravely stood up to powerful, transnational corporations who are attempting to build a mine in their midst without consulting residents or even providing information about the project.

Men, women and children have banded together in the spirit of non-violent civil disobedience to block the road and prevent the equipment from entering and destroying the land that is their home and their livelihoods. They have faced death threats, and a nearly fatal assault on one of their members, Yolanda Oquelí.

Come hear two members of the communities, Alvaro Sandoval Palencia and Antonio Reyes Romero, speak about their inspiring struggle at our 30th Anniversary Celebration on September 27th.

Don’t miss out on this amazing event. Buy your tickets now!

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