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SURCO (University Services and Knowledge Networks of Oaxaca) and Otros Mundos (Other Worlds) in Chiapas invite you to join this trip that will investigate human rights violations and other social, environmental and economic violence caused by large-scale "mega-development" projects - particularly gold, silver and barite and mining in Oaxaca and Chiapas.
In Oaxaca, two activists have been killed recently for their resistance to Canadian mining operations (see links below). Another anti-mining activist was killed in 2009 in Chiapas, and repression of those resisting mining and other large-scale "development" business in both States is ongoing.
These and other connected events will be explored within the context of resistance to international and other "development" projects threatening indigenous territories, and the related dynamics of impunity, corruption, exploitation and poverty, and lack of justice and democracy.
DELEGATION:
Over 7 days (& 8 nights) delegation members will meet with indigenous, human rights, development and environmental activists and experts. The delegation will have opportunities to hear from people directly affected by mining projects about the diverse, violent effects of mining in their communities.
The delegation will also explore recent, hopeful examples of dynamics of resistance based on ongoing popular education and activism, and the forming and strategic alliances with local, national and international social movements.
Participants will also explore options for activism in Canada and the U.S. to hold international mining companies accountable, and to support of Mexican social movements to promote human rights, social and environmental justice, cultural preservation and the maintenance of healthy communities.
DATES:
Arriving in Oaxaca City on Saturday, July 28; departing from Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas on Sunday August 5. (There are no delegation activities planned for these dates).
The group will travel by van and spend several nights visiting: Zapotec communities in Oaxaca and Mayan communities in Chiapas suffering human rights and environmental violations related to Canadian gold and silver and barite mines (Fortuna Silver Inc., Continuum Resources and Blackfire Exploration, Ltd).
TRIP COORDINATORS:
The delegation will be led by Jonathan Treat, SURCO in Oaxaca, and Gustavo Castro, Otros Mundos in Chiapas. Treat is Delegation Director for SURCO, a non-profit organization based in Oaxaca, Mexico that works to promote human and environmental rights, social justice and through diverse alternative education and community-based projects. In 2006 Treat founded the Oaxaca Solidarity Network (ROSOL), which partnered with Rights Action to offer emergency human rights delegations during the 2006 conflict and government repression in Oaxaca, México. Castro is Director of Otros Mundos, a non-profit organization in Chiapas, México that promotes human rights and environmental rights through popular education and national/international activism. He has worked extensively in resistance to mega-development projects threatening indigenous and other communities in Chiapas and throughout México.
COST: US$850
This covers: 8 nights of hotel; 3 meals a day for 7 days (a few days, there will only be 2 meals covered); transportation in-country; trip organization, guiding, translation; honorariums for people and communities we meet with, etc. (Participants pay for their own travel to and from Mexico.)
FOR WHOM:
Citizens and activists, professors and educators, and media, health, environment and legal professionals who are concerned about issues related to: global exploitation-poverty-"development"; defense of indigenous territories, government repression; environmental destruction; and about inspiring and growing community-based, popular movements for equality, justice and locally controlled development and environmental well-being.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Article, "Blood for Silver, Blood for Gold", by delegation co-director Jonathan Treat:http://upsidedownworld.org/main/mexico-archives-79/3545-mexico-blood-for-silver-blood-for-gold
Al Jazeera article, "The Significance of Indigenous Mobilizations": http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/04/2012414153214644564.html
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jonathan Treat: jonathantreat@surcooaxaca.org; [011] 52 951 144 7971
Since the June 28, 2009 military coup against the government of President Zelaya, Rights Action - along with other North American organizations - has been working hard to support the courageous Honduran people's pro-democracy movement.
Despite serious, on-going repression being committed by the regime, the Honduran people - men and women, young and old, teachers, indigenous people, LGBT people, campesino (small farmers), business owners, students - continue to organize and work peacefully for human rights and justice, for a return to democracy and the rule of law, and for a just and fair society and country.
One impediment to the return of democracy is that the governments of Canada and the United States along with North American investors and companies (mining, tourism, bananas, maquiladora sweat-shops, African palm and sugar cane, etc.) are doing business with, empowering and 'legitimizing' the illegitimate regime.
During this educational delegation, participants will learn about: Honduran and Central American history; the context that led to the 2009 military coup; the role of Canadian and American governments and companies in legitimizing and benefiting from the military coup; and, about the courage and spirit of Honduras' peaceful pro-democracy movement.
THE PLAN
Fly into Toncontin airport, city of Tegucigalpa (Honduras), on Saturday, March 16; depart from Tegucigalpa on Saturday, March 23. (Participants will be met at the airport)
Over the course of 6 full days in Honduras, participants will meet with Hondurans and some North Americans involved in the pro-democracy struggle and working for human rights and the environment. The group will travel (by rented van) to and spend nights in rural communities seeking justice for environmental and health harms caused by North American mining companies; to the north coast and visit indigenous Garifuna communities resisting forced eviction from their ancestral lands to make way for global tourism businesses and the production of African palm and sugar cane 'for export'; meet with people working for the rights of sweat-shop (maquiladora) workers; and more. (Closer to the actual dates, Rights Action will set out a detailed 6-day itinerary.)
TYPE OF PARTICIPANT
This trip is for people from all walks of life (students, professors and educators, media, foundations, etc.) who are concerned about: global exploitation and poverty; military interventions and repression; the global "development" model and environmental destruction; and, about courageous people and their courageous work and struggles for community-controlled development, protection of the environment, human rights and justice, and for democracy.
TRIP LEADER - GRAHAME RUSSELL
Grahame Russell is a non-practising lawyer, adjunct professor at the University of Northern British Colombia, author, and, since 1995, co-director of Rights Action. Rights Action funds community-controlled development, environmental defense and human rights projects in Guatemala and Honduras, as well as Chiapas, El Salvador and Oaxaca; and carries out education and activism work in the USA and Canada related to global human rights, environmental and development issues.
COST = $750
This covers: 7 nights of hotel; 3 meals a day for 6 days (on some days, there will only be 2 meals covered); transportation in-country; trip organization, guiding, translation; honorariums for some people and communities we meet with, etc. (Participants pay for their own travel to and from Honduras)
RISK
Grahame will have discussions with interested persons about the possible risks involved with this delegation, before people decide to join or not. Since 1995, with Rights Action, Grahame has planned and led over 50 such delegations to Honduras, Guatemala, Chiapas and Oaxaca, and never had any serious problems.
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