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”
Subsoil Natural Resource Archives
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”
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”
1992 Mexican Agrarian Law
The 1992 Agrarian Law regulated the constitutional reforms of the same year, creating the agrarian courts and prosecutor to handle land disputes and reforming the Agrarian Land Registry. It maintained the ejido and agrarian community as legal entities alongside extended forms for private involvement in the rural economy. Above all, it established the right ofContinue reading “1992 Mexican Agrarian Law”
2020- Guatemalan Government and the Xinka Parliament initiate pre-consultation over Escobal
In February 2020, the Xinka Parliament and the Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines restarted dialogue on the conditions necessary to fufill the Constitutional Court ruling on the requirement to conduct a consultation process with the Xinka people affected by the Escobal mine (see Legal Action entitled, “2017- Judicial Suspension of Tahoe’s Mining Licences“). In October, afterContinue reading “2020- Guatemalan Government and the Xinka Parliament initiate pre-consultation over Escobal”
2019 Salvadoran NGOs submit report to UN Universal Periodic Review
In March 2019, the Central American Network for the Defence of Transborder Waters – El Salvador (Red Centroamericana por la Defensa de las Aguas Transfronterizas – El Salvador, RedCAT) and Franciscans International (FI) submitted a joint report as Civil Society Organization input to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. InContinue reading “2019 Salvadoran NGOs submit report to UN Universal Periodic Review”
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).
2014- Citizen Transborder Treaty Drafting [Cerro Blanco]
For Salvadoran NGOs involved in the Mesa Nacional frente a la Minería Metálica (National Roundtable against Metallic Mining), the regulation of transborder water resources in Central America has been an issue for many years. Their concerns emerged out of the discovery that both Guatemala and Honduras have received requests for exploration and exploitation of mineralsContinue reading “2014- Citizen Transborder Treaty Drafting [Cerro Blanco]”
1997 Enactment of Treaty for the Execution of the Trifinio Plan
In 1987, a long-mooted agreement between El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala was developed to establish the transnational Biosphere Reserve in the cloud forest covering the Montecristo massif which lies on the border of the three countries. The region is home to rare flora and fauna as well as serving as the catchment zone for threeContinue reading “1997 Enactment of Treaty for the Execution of the Trifinio Plan”


