Movements resisting resource extraction are being met with targeted violence
Over the last several decades, transnational resource extraction companies have flocked to Central America. Licenses to construct hydroelectric dams, exploit minerals, or build the necessary infrastructure to make these types of projects possible are being granted by national governments in the region at an alarming rate. With little transparency, no meaningful consideration is being given to the communities most [...]
Más de 2.900 personas de 59 países distintos piden al Ministerio Publico de Guatemala que investigue el asesinato de defensora del medio ambiente
Comunicado de Prensa 17 de mayo de 2017 (Guatemala / Oakland, CA / Tatamagouche, NS) - El miércoles se entregó una carta al Ministerio Público de Guatemala en nombre de más de 2.900 personas que solicitaban una investigación inmediata y exhaustiva del asesinato de Topacio Reynoso Pacheco, de 16 años, y los ataques contra su padre, Alex Reynoso. Topacio, activista [...]
More than 2900 concerned individuals from 59 countries ask Guatemalan Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate murder of environmental defender
Press release May 17, 2017 (Guatemala/Oakland, CA/Tatamagouche, NS) -- On Wednesday, a letter was delivered to the Public Prosecutor’s office in Guatemala on behalf of more than 2,900 people requesting an immediate and thorough investigation into the murder of 16-year-old Topacio Reynoso Pacheco and the attacks against her father, Alex Reynoso. Topacio, an environmental activist and youth leader from southeastern [...]
Yes to life! Communities in the Ixcán commemorate 10 years since the referendum that said ‘no’ to resource extraction
Ten years ago, community members from the Ixcán exercised their ancestral traditions and rights as indigenous peoples, holding a municipality-wide community referendum in which 89.7% of the 21,555 participants in the referendum voted against allowing resource extraction companies into their territories. On April 20, 2017, Ixcán communities celebrated 10 years since the vote and honored generations of struggle to [...]
Solidarity Update: April 2017
Photo credit: Roderico Díaz. News recap: Honoring the life of Miguel Ramírez Matóm, witness in the Ixil genocide trial; Take action: Denounce impunity for attacks against environmental defenders; Communities in the Ixcán commemorate 10 years since the referendum that said ‘no’ to resource extraction; Announcing our fall tour: "Guatemala youth in defense of land and life"; Join NISGUA in hosting CALDH photo exhibit, "Defending [...]
One Year Later: Berta Lives, COPINH Continues On
On March 2, 2016, Berta Cáceres was assassinated in an attempt to silence her voice, bring an end her important leadership and destroy the political project and struggle of a people acting in defence of their territory. The aim was not only to do away with her, but the organization of which she was a part for over 20 years, [...]