'we Expect A Humane Decision Regarding The Problem Of La Oroya'

Published by MAC on 2006-05-15
Source: Commission of Grassroots Organizations

"WE EXPECT A HUMANE DECISION REGARDING THE PROBLEM OF LA OROYA"

La Oroya

15ht May 2006

To Ministry of Mining and Energy

We the representatives of civil society of the city of La Oroya, are TIRED of the treachery and lies of the authorities of the Central and Local Government, who only respond to their selfish personal interests while ignoring the health of the people who elected them.

In reponse to the request of an extension of the Project of Improvement and Environmental Management (PAMA) of the company Doe Run Perú, we want to state the following:

1. It has been technically demonstrated that the contamination in La Oroya has not decreased during the administration of Doe Run Perú.

2. According to a study of ESAN, Doe Run Perú has not met its environmental commitments, although it has had the economic capacity to do so, preferring to send its company headquarters over U$96 milion instead of reducing the levels of contamination.

3. The Provincial Mayor, making use and abuse of his power, was the author of the so-called "social license" and can now be found calling meetings, strikes, vigils and even buying expensive space in regional and national newspapers, backing the extension of the PAMA which means the continued poisoning of the population with total impunity.

4. The company Doe Run Perú has been threatening the population of La Oroya with its workers, under the psychosis and the blackmail that they will shut down their operations if they don't receive the extension of the PAMA.

FOR ALL THIS, WE URGE THE RESPECT OF THE RIGHT TO LIFE, HEALTH, WORK AND PROPERTY FOR THE RESIDENTS OF LA OROYA, WE URGE THE MINISTRY TO TAKE A HUMANE, RESPONSIBLE AND HISTORIC DECISION FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF LA OROYA.

Commission of Grassroots Organizations

Guillermo Quispe - Comité de Defensa de La Oroya
Leonidas Camargo - Asociación de Propietarios de Inmuebles
Carlos Callupe - Asamblea Popular
Rosa Amaro - Movimiento por la Salud de La Oroya