In 2014, Salvadoran NGOs submitted independent reports to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review process on El Salvador. Amongst a range of human rights issues, the NGOs highlighted the need for the State to strengthen the protection of the right to water of the population and also highlighted the negative environmental and transborder impacts causedContinue reading “2014 Salvadoran NGOs submit information to the Universal Periodic Review”
Subsoil Key Actors Category Archives
2014 Permanent People’s Tribunal Hearing
In June 2014, the Permanent People’s Tribunal held a hearing in Geneva to hear evidence provided by human rights defenders on eight extractive project cases, including El Dorado. The popular tribunal judges heard evidence of the potential impact of the mine on access to water sources and contamination as well as the consequences for agricultureContinue reading “2014 Permanent People’s Tribunal Hearing”
2020 UN Universal Periodic Review of Honduras human rights situation
In November 2020, Honduras’ human rights record was examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for the third time. The review process involved the submission of NGO and other expert reports as well as the country report by the State party on the human rights situation in Honduras. An alliance ofContinue reading “2020 UN Universal Periodic Review of Honduras human rights situation”
2016- Municipal assemblies vote against mining
The increasing concern of different communities in the Montaña and Costa Chica region about mining concessions also resulted in a parallel legal process using Guerrero State’s municipal law to reject mining and prevent authorities endorsing extractive projects. In 2016, municipal level assemblies (cabildos abiertos) were promoted and supervised by CRAADET with the municipal authorities of Malinaltepec and Iliatenco.Continue reading “2016- Municipal assemblies vote against mining”
2007 Community files legal opposition to Environmental Impact Assessment
On 17 May 2007, Colectivo Madreselva and members of Asunción Mita municipality (Jutiapa Department) filed their opposition to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) presented by Goldcorp to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN). The same EIA had been presented to and rejected by MARN officials in 2004 and 2005. However, the team responsibleContinue reading “2007 Community files legal opposition to Environmental Impact Assessment”
2019 Meeting in Congress to question government officials on Cerro Blanco
In December 2019, a Guatemalan congressman convened a working meeting in the Guatemalan Congress to formally question the Ministries of Energy and Mines, Environment and Natural Resources, and Health regarding the health and environmental impacts of the Cerro Blanco mine and Bluestone Resources’ plans to reactivate the project. The meeting was convened in accordance withContinue reading “2019 Meeting in Congress to question government officials on Cerro Blanco”
2015-2016 Constitutional challenge to Cerro Blanco exploitation licence
In November 2015, a resident of the municipality of Asunción Mita (Department of Jutiapa, Guatemala), filed a petition to the Guatemalan Supreme Court for constitutional protection (amparo) against the Minister of Energy and Mines for failure to terminate the Cerro Blanco exploitation licence in accordance with the Mining Law. The petition was supported by Colectivo MadreselvaContinue reading “2015-2016 Constitutional challenge to Cerro Blanco exploitation licence”
2012-2013 Decree to establish La Montaña Biosphere Reserve, and regional mobilization of indigenous communities against the initiative
In 2012, the Mexican federal government agency, the National Commission for Protected Nature Areas (CONANP) and the Guerrero state Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources initiated the legal process to establish a Biosphere Reserve in La Montaña region of Guerrero. This involved quietly trying to convince some communities in the Alta Montaña region to acceptContinue reading “2012-2013 Decree to establish La Montaña Biosphere Reserve, and regional mobilization of indigenous communities against the initiative”
2011 Constitutional reforms in relation to human rights treaties
In 2011, after many years of campaigns for clearer constitutional protection of international human rights norms, reforms to Article 1 of the Constitution were enacted. These recognised the constitutional status of international human rights treaties and required laws relating to human rights to be interpreted in conformity with the constitution and human rights treaties, applyingContinue reading “2011 Constitutional reforms in relation to human rights treaties”
2011- Indigenous communities reject mining in their territories
In 2010, Me’phaa and Na Savi indigenous communities in La Montaña and Costa Chica regions of Guerrero began to observe outsiders entering and surveying their lands and to hear of reports of concessions being granted by the authorities to international companies for mining exploration and exploitation on their territories. San Miguel del Progreso, in theContinue reading “2011- Indigenous communities reject mining in their territories”