Government of Guatemala responsible for increased violence against local population

With the greatest urgency CATAPA asks the suspension of all activities of the Marlin mine and the application of the other precautionary measures which the Interamerican Commission for Human Rights requested of the Guatemalan government.

The 20th of May the Interamerican Commission for Human Rights urged the Guatemalan government to suspend the Marlin gold mine in San Miguel Ixtahuacán, in the western department of San Marcos, to avoid further environmental y health problems. It asked to implement these and other precautionary measures during the investigation of the complaint presented by 18 local communities. The Commission gave the Guatemalan government 20 days to respond to the request, which until now has not taken any concrete steps to implement the measures.

The Interamerican Commission expected its decision to ask suspension of the mine to generate more insecurity. Therefore, apart from the suspension, it requested additional measures to protect the local inhabitants. The Guatemalan government also failed to act on these recommendations, with grave violations of human rights as a result.

The 7th of July, at 7am in the morning, Theodora Antonia Hernandez Cinto was shot in front of her house in San Miguel Ixtahuacán. Two unknown men came by her house and asked for a cup of coffee, when she returned to offer the coffee, she was shot in the area of her right eye.

But it did not stop there: in the night of July 14th another local leader, known for his resistance to mining, was victim of an armed assault in Siete Platos, San Miguel Ixtahuacán. For security reasons we can not name the victim. Luckily, here also the attackers did not manage to kill their victim.

The increased violence is the direct responsibility of the Guatemalan government, that ignored the warnings of the Interamerican Commission for Human Rights, and failed to take any actions to protect the local population being fully aware of the climate of intimidation and violence in the region.

CATAPA asks the Guatemalan government to immediately suspend all activities of the Marlin mine because there are strong indications that it gravely affects housing, the environment and health of the local population around the mine. The government also has to take adequate and effective measures to protect the local population. Finally, CATAPA demands a thorough investigation and the complete clarification of the threats and assaults against Theodora Antonia Hernandez Cinto and other local leaders from San Miguel Ixtahuacán.

CATAPA asks international human rights organizations to condemn recent assault and threats against local habitants, be vigilant about events in San Marcos and possible future violations of humans rights in the region.

Of international institutions and governments CATAPA asks they use their influence to urge the Guatemalan government to comply with their obligations regarding human rights and international law.

For more information:
Daan Janssens
Coordinator CATAPA
daan.janssens[aat]catapa.be
+ 32 473-36 73 18
 

Picture: Damaged walls caused by explosions of the Marlin mine - (c)Steven Heyvaert