Amnesty International spotlights Hudbay Minerals for alleged human rights abuses in Guatemala

Amnesty International is citing Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals’ alleged responsibility for a 2009 murder and shootings as examples of human rights abuses by mining companies in Guatemala.

In the report “Guatemala Rights At Risk” released last week in Guatemala City, Amnesty International discusses three separate civil claims in a Canadian court brought by members of the Maya-Q’eqchi community against Hudbay and its former subsidiary, Compañia Guatemalteca de Niquel (CGN).

The AI report states:

“In one case, brought in 2010, the widow of Adolfo Ich Chamán, a school teacher and anti-mining activist, claims that in 2009 security personnel employed by Hudbay’s subsidiary, CGN, shot and killed her husband during a confrontation with Maya-Q’eqchi villagers.

“In a separate claim brought in 2011, German Chub Choc claims he was shot and paralyzed during the same incident.”

Hudbay denyies the allegations.

‘”Based on extensive internal investigations and eyewitness reports, Hudbay believes that the allegations in these matters are without merit and it is vigorously defending itself against them,” the company states on its website.

Amnesty International also highlighted CGN’s role in alleged gang rapes that occurred before Hudbay purchased CGN in August 2008. In 2011, 11 Maya-Q’eqchi’ women bought a claim that, in 2007, prior to Hudbay’s involvement, they were gang-raped by CGN security personnel and state security forces during the implementation of a court-sanctioned eviction.

Last year, Hudbay argued the three lawsuits should be dismissed without being heard on the grounds that it could not be held legally responsible for the alleged actions of its subsidiary, CGN. Hudbay’s motion was dismissed, and the company did not appeal the ruling.

The cases are currently proceeding in Canada.

During a Sept. 19 press conference in Guatemala City, Amnesty International warned violence will continue in Guatemala unless the government institutes substantial reforms to its mining law to allow for meaningful consultation between indigenous peoples and mining companies before mining projects begin.

“We’re concerned that the violence seen in the past will continue if a fair and balanced consultation process is not introduced. We are also aware that the rights of Indigenous peoples are not being respected,” states Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director of Amnesty International, in a press release.

In many cases, the authorities have failed to thoroughly investigate the death and injury of those protesting against mining projects.

Mynor Padilla, CGN’s former head of security, is currently awaiting trial for the murder of Adolfo Ich Chamán and the shooting of German Chub Choc. The trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 29.

Hudbay is seeking state and federal permits to build the proposed Rosemont copper mine in the Santa Rita Mountains on the Coronado National Forest southeast of Tucson.