News Update
Grahame Russell (Rights Action) and James Rodriguez (MiMundo.org) are in El Estor, Guatemala, in response to the September 17, 2016, shooting attack on home of Angelica Choc and, tomorrow, to commemorate – with Angelica, her family and other community members - the 7 anniversary of the mining-linked murder of Angelica’s husband Adolfo Ich and shooting-paralyzing of German Chub.
Please consider signing this statement – as an individual and/or organization – concerning recent attacks against Angélica Choc in Guatemala, Máxima Acuña in Peru, and other women struggling in defense of land, water and life, in the face of large-scale mining and hydroelectric projects in different parts of Latin America.
“Rather than continue to shore up a repressive government by paying for its thugs, the United States [and Canada] should suspend all police and military aid to Honduras immediately, including funds for training and equipment. And instead of promoting cosmetic reforms as cover for the security forces’ abuses, the [U.S. and Canadian governments] should address the demands of Hondurans for a truly independent, United Nations-backed commission on corruption and impunity.”
Statement by Klippensteins Barristers & Solicitors, September 19, 2016, Toronto, Canada
Poco después de la medianoche del día viernes, 16 de setiembre de 2016 (mañanita del 17), se produjo un atentado con disparos contra la vivienda de Angélica Choc, una dirigenta Maya-Q´eqchi´ defensora de los derechos humanos y de la comunidad de El Estor, departamento de Izabal, Guatemala.
Just after midnight, Friday September 16, 2016, shots were fired at the home of Angelica Choc, a Mayan Q’eqchi’ human rights leader and community defender in El Estor, department of Izabal, Guatemala, while she slept inside with her youngest son and an adopted daughter.
These most recent deaths (August 2016) are added to a growing list of deaths – due to repression, accidents and “mysterious” circumstances – at the “Fenix” nickel mining operation in Guatemala that was owned for over 40 years by Canadian mining companies, beginning with INCO and ending with Hudbay Minerals.
Highlights
Funds are needed to support Berta’s family as they respond to this political crime/crisis situation and demand justice for the assassination of Berta and wounding of Mexican Gustavo Castro; and to support COPINH’s work for justice in this case, and their long-term work for territorial defense and indigenous rights, and fundamental transformation and change in Honduras.
Urgent Action
This is summary of most grassroots funding to principal partner organizations and individuals. Rights Action disperses funds and grants to other partner groups as well in other countries.
Video
Rights Action recommends this 13 minute film, showing just how repressive, oppressive and desperate the situation in Honduras is, ever since the military coup in June 2009... ... and just how brave so many women are.
Documents
Over 185 days have passed in which the Lenca indigenous communities of the Rio Blanco region of Intibuca, Honduras have blocked an access road built into the intended construction site for the Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam on the Gualcarque River. Desarrollos Energeticos, SA (DESA), plans to build the dam, and is pushing the project through with violence and intimidation, while attempting to criminalize land rights defenders with baseless charges.