In May 2008, CAVS made a criminal complaint against the Attorney General of Guatemala and the Assistant Attorney General for obstruction of justice, delaying justice, abuse of authority and violation of their duties as public officials. The legal action sought the suspension of the officials from their posts. The complaint did not result in any actionContinue reading “2008 CAVS files criminal complaint against Attorney General for obstruction of justice”
Subsoil Key Actor Name Archives
2008 Petition for constitutional protection of the right to medical attention
On 11 September 2008, a petition for constitution protection (amparo) was filed on behalf of those suffering health consequences from the pollution allegedly caused by the San Martín mine. The petition demanded protection of the right to timely and adequate medical attention for the 64 people in the Siria Valley whose health had reportedly been damaged byContinue reading “2008 Petition for constitutional protection of the right to medical attention”
2002 Criminal complaint filed for contamination to Malake River
In 2002, Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) filed a criminal complaint with the public prosecutor for crimes against health in relation to contamination of the Malake River. However, the complaint did not result in charges or legal action against those responsible.
2000 Community organizations challenge legality of environmental permit
In June 2010, the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) and other civil society organizations filed an administrative challenge to the legality of the Honduran Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (SERNA) granting an environmental permit for exploitation of the San Martín concession. The legal challenge was unsuccessful (CIDSE, 2009: 69).
2006-2013 Moratorium on Mining Concessions
A moratorium on new mining concessions was originally proposed in 2004 by the Minister of Natural Resources. According to the Honduras Accompaniment Project (PROAH), this proposal was based on the following two factors: (1) the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) and the Civic Alliance for Mining Law Reform demonstrated to the Executive Directorate for theContinue reading “2006-2013 Moratorium on Mining Concessions”
2004-2007 Investigation into water contamination leads to fine against company, overturned by court on appeal
In 2004, a study was ordered by the then Directorate for the Promotion of Mining (DEFOMIN) into contamination of water supplies near San Martín mine. This found that there was evidence of arsenic poisoning in the water supply to the community of Nueva Palo Ralo, a hamlet that had been forcibly relocated by the San MartínContinue reading “2004-2007 Investigation into water contamination leads to fine against company, overturned by court on appeal”
2007 and 2009 Latin American Water Tribunal Hearings
In 2007, the verdict of the Latin American Water Tribunal (TLA) found the Honduran authorities “responsible for not enforcing their environmental legislation and international commitments to preserve their water sources and their population’s health and wellbeing” (TLA, 2007). In particular, the Tribunal found that Goldcorp’ subsidiary, Minerales Entremares de Honduras was responsible for damaging theContinue reading “2007 and 2009 Latin American Water Tribunal Hearings”
2000 Community complaint to Environmental Prosecutor
In 2000, the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) filed a complaint with the Environmental Prosecutor, accusing Glamis Gold Ltd. (then owner of the San Martín mine) of environmental crimes. The Prosecutor conducted a 10-month investigation and sought arrest warrants for three officials of Minerales Entre Mares de Honduras, S.A., a Glamis Gold wholly owned subsidiary.Continue reading “2000 Community complaint to Environmental Prosecutor”
2007-2010 Community Complaint to Environmental Prosecutor
In 2007, the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) filed a complaint with the Environmental Prosecutor against Entre Mares and Goldcorp regarding water course contamination and health impacts resulting from the San Martín and its closure process. In August 2007, the Forensic Medicine at the Criminal and Forensic Sciences Laboratory carried out blood and urine samples onContinue reading “2007-2010 Community Complaint to Environmental Prosecutor”
2011-2013 Criminal charges against Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) members
In 2011, 17 members of local grassroots organization Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) faced criminal charges, including obstructing a forestry management plan in 2010 in the community of Tepalitos, in the municipality of El Porvenir. In July 2011, CAVS spokesperson, Carlos Amador, and another activist were temporarily detained on these charges, then released on bailContinue reading “2011-2013 Criminal charges against Siria Valley Environmental Committee (CAVS) members”
