Canadian mining companies guilty of destroying lands and health of Indigenous peoples
Goldcorp Found Guilty; Human Rights Violations, Health Harms, Environmental ContaminationJuly 16, 2012 Judges at The Peoples' International Health Tribunal have delivered their verdict on the case of Goldcorp's mining operations in Carrizalillo in Guerrero, Mexico, Siria Valley in Francisco Morazan, Honduras, and San Miguel and Sipacapa in San Marcos, Guatemala. After hearing hours of testimony from affected community members about the negative social, physical, psychological and environmental impacts of Goldcorp's mining operations, the distinguished panel of judges found Goldcorp Guilty in all three countries. You can read the final verdict here. Below, a press release from The Peoples' International Health Tribunal Goldcorp Found Guilty; Human Rights Violations, Health Harms, Environmental ContaminationThe Peoples' International Health Tribunal came to a close today shortly after the reading of the judge's final deliberation. The panel summarized the facts of the case against Goldcorp that they had heard in the previous day of testimonies regarding health issues, heightened birth defects, the contamination of the environment and lack of consent, as well as the psychological impacts of community division and the criminalization of dissent and the collective health of the community regarding issues such as addiction, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and gender violence. The distinguished panel delivered a guilty verdict to Goldcorp, the host countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, as well as the Canadian Government for supporting and promoting in various ways the irresponsible mining investments in Mesoamerica. For the reasons above described, we find Goldcorp guilty for its activities in Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, which we find to be seriously damaging to the health and the quality of life, the quality of environment, and the right to self determination of the affected Indigenous and campesino communities. Following the verdict, the judges read recommendations to the communities and demands of Goldcorp and of the States (national, departmental, state and municipal governments). Read final verdict here. Read a full (rough) transcript of the Tribunal here. |
from Intercontinentalcry.orgContinental Day of Action Against Canadian Mega Resource Extraction - August 1, 2012July 12, 2012 A continent-wide day of action against the Canadian mining industry is being organized for August 1, 2012. For details and information on how to get involved, please see this call-out from the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN). A facebook event has also been posted. August 1, 2012 Continental Day of Action Against Canadian Mega Resource ExtractionWe are heeding a call from communities in the global south that have organized and are resisting the exploitative practices of the mega resource extractive industry. The organizations below, in solidarity with communities impacted by the Canadian extractive industry throughout the Americas call for a Continental Day of Action on August 1st, 2012 to demand an end to exploitative and unjust mining practices. Civil society along with communities from Canada to Argentina will conduct coordinated actions including rallies, demonstrations, community radio coverage, letter writing campaigns and other alternative and imaginative actions of protest in front of mining corporate offices and Canadian embassies across the Americas.
OUR DEMANDS:Divestment: The Canadian government should divest public funds from resource extraction industries. (i.e pension funds invested in GoldCorp and other corporations) and call for public funds to be invested in social programs like free education, affordable housing and universal healthcare. Regulation: The Canadian government should Stop Complicity: Stop utilizing public institutions to assist with high profile public relations campaigns conducted by resource extraction companies (such as the Museum of Natural History in Ottawa, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto, York University, CIDA-funded projects such as the Devonshire initiative. Binding Community Consent Mechanisms: That governments and courts of the region respect and adhere to the internationally recognized right of free prior and informed consent for Indigenous communities. People Before Profit: End free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties that enshrine the right of corporations over citizens and communities. If your organization would like to sign on and partake in actions please contact rburbano@hotmail.com LIST OF PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:Breaking the Silence Network - Maritimes, Canada |