A Toronto-Based Mining Company and the Death of a Mayan Teacher

SandraCuffe — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:32:54 +0000

Was Adolfo Ich targeted for his anti-mining activism against HudBay Minerals?

RIGHTS ACTION Report
October 18, 2009

MINING & THE DEATH OF A MAYAN TEACHER

HUDBAY MINERALS/ CGN SECURITY FORCES KILL ADOLFO ICH, A MAYAN TEACHER, APPARENTLY TARGETED FOR HIS DEFENSE OF INDIGENOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

This report is based on eye witness testimony and reports from human rights organizations gathered between September 29 and October 10, 2009.

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VIOLENT IMPOSITION OF THE FENIX NICKEL MINING PROJECT

Toronto-based HudBay Minerals, through its subsidiary the Compania Guatemalteca de Niquel, CGN, is developing the Fenix Project, expected to be one of the world’s largest nickel mines, in a Maya Qeqchi region of Guatemala in which organized crime has come to virtually control the State, particularly the justice system.

HudBay/CGN has fomented paramilitary organizations that commit acts of violence and human rights violations of Maya Qeqchi communities, in direct collaboration with the HudBay/CGN private security force and with the National Civil Police and Army.

On Sunday, September 27, Mynor Padilla, head of security for HudBay/CGN’s Fenix project, killed a teacher (Adolfo Ich) as Adolfo attempted to protect children from the security force’s indiscriminant shooting which left another community member paraplegic and at least four more wounded.

BUILD UP TO ANOTHER KILLING

Rights Action

A Toronto-Based Mining Company and the Death of a Mayan Teacher