A wake-up call for human rights defenders in the Americas

Published by MAC on 2012-01-10
Source: MiningWatch Canada, CIEL

IACHR's lenience towards Goldcorp is criticised by NGOs

A wake-up call for human rights defenders in the Americas, not indicator of Goldcorp's performance

MiningWatch Canada & Center for International Environmental Law Press Release

5 January 2012

(Ottawa/Washington, D.C.) The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and MiningWatch Canada today expressed deep concern at the political pressure being brought to bear on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the western hemisphere's primary organ for protecting human rights.

Under substantial pressure from governments, the IACHR decided in late December to modify an earlier order regarding the controversial Marlin mine in Guatemala, the subject of an ongoing human rights complaint. IACHR lifted its recommendation to suspend operations at the mine, while leaving other measures in place.

CIEL and MiningWatch Canada cautioned that the move should not be seen as evidence that the company is acting responsibly or that violations of human rights and threats to community well-being in Guatemala have been addressed. They warned that IACHR's decision, and the political pressure that preceded it, are a wake-up call for organizations and communities concerned about the defense of human rights in the Americas.

"If Goldcorp truly respected human rights as it purports to, it would not be celebrating this decision," says Kristen Genovese, Senior Attorney at CIEL. "In addition to the IACHR, the International Labour Organization´s Committee of Experts and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People have also recommended suspension of mine operations until local communities are adequately consulted.

"The company's own Human Rights Assessment of the Marlin mine also recommended that the company halt its land acquisition and mine expansion until consultation takes place. The company is conveniently ignoring these orders, in the same way it supported the Guatemalan government's intransigence in the face of the earlier IACHR suspension order."

This is only the latest example of country's pressuring - and even threatening - IACHR to weaken human rights decisions. Several months ago, under threat that Brazil would revoke its funding, the IACHR backed down from its order to Brazil to halt construction of the controversial Belo Monte dam based on allegations that the right of local indigenous communities to free, prior and informed consent had not been respected.

"Questions need to be asked about what kind of pressure the IACHR was under when it made this decision to modify the order," says Jennifer Moore, Latin America Program Coordinator for MiningWatch Canada.

"It is unconvincing that the IACHR would be satisfied with the evidence that the company-sponsored water committee and Guatemalan government have presented. The most recent hydro-geological study lauded by the government does not resolve the question of whether the mine is contaminating the local drinking water and its neutrality has been roundly criticized by local authorities. Furthermore, I'm surprised to see no mention of other independent studies that indicate depletion of surface water supplies, arsenic contamination and possible leakage from the tailings pond."

The modification of the IACHR order does not affect the underlying petition, currently under consideration at the Commission, which alleges that failure of the government to obtain the free, prior, and informed, consent of the communities before developing the Marlin mine. According to the precautionary measures that remain in place, Guatemala has an ongoing obligation to ensure the quality of water sources serving the communities is suitable for domestic and irrigation uses. The modified measures further request that the Government advise the IACHR as to the manner in which it is fulfilling this duty.

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CONTACT: Jennifer Moore, MiningWatch Canada, 613-569-3439
Kristen Genovese, Center for International Environmental Law, 202-742-5831

Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is committed to strengthening and using international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy in the global public interest, including through legal counsel, policy research, analysis, education, training and capacity building.

MiningWatch Canada is a pan-Canadian initiative supported by environmental, social justice, Aboriginal and labour organizations from across the country. It addresses the urgent need for a coordinated public interest response to the threats to public health, water and air quality, fish and wildlife habitat and community interests posed by irresponsible mineral policies and practices in Canada and around the world.