Guatemalan Government Moves to Expel Witnesses to Police Violence at US-Canadian Mine Site
Guatemalan Government Moves to Expel Witnesses to Police Violence at US-Canadian Mine Site
Written by Mining Watch Canada
Monday, 07 July 2014 21:28
Last week, Guatemalan authorities informed two Peace Brigades International (PBI) volunteers that their temporary residence permits were cancelled and that they have ten days to leave the country. Both volunteers witnessed a violent eviction on May 23rd at 'La Puya' - just north of Guatemala City-, where US-based Kappes, Cassidy & Associates and Vancouver-based Radius Gold are interested in developing the El Tambor mine project.
During the eviction, hundreds of police used tear gas and flash bombs against the communities of San José del Golfo and San Pedro Ayampuc who have maintained a peaceful blockade at the entrance to the mine project for over two years while they have sought dialogue with Guatemalan authorities to reach a solution. The operation permitted machinery to be forcibly introduced to the mine site. Over twenty people were injured.
“Over the following weeks [after the violent eviction], various articles with defamatory comments against foreigners and international organisations were published in Guatemalan media," states PBI in an open letter, reproduced in full below. The letter expresses concern "that the cancellation of the temporary residence permits of two of our volunteers may be related to false information on the work of international observation during the eviction which was published by the media."
"In the current context characterized by the closure of spaces for human rights defenders, we are also concerned that the cancellation of the volunteers’ permits undermines the possibilities of international accompaniment and observation which aims to protect spaces for non-violent conflict resolution and the promotion of human rights in Guatemala," the letter from PBI concludes.
More:
http://upsidedownworld.org/main/news-briefs-archives-68/4928-guatemalan-government-moves-to-expel-witnesses-to-police-violence-at-us-canadian-mine-site