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Indigenous Protesters Blockading Mine Owned by Vancouver-based Goldcorp Assaulted, Detained in Guatemala [see updates below]

For Immediate Release. February 28, 2011. San Miguel Ixtahuacan, San Marcos, Guatemala.

by San Miguel Ixtahuacan Defense Front



A meeting of community members affected by Goldcorp's Marlin mine. Agel, San Miguel Ixtahuacan, San Marcos, Guatemala, 2007. Photo: Sandra Cuffe A meeting of community members affected by Goldcorp's Marlin mine. Agel, San Miguel Ixtahuacan, San Marcos, Guatemala, 2007. Photo: Sandra Cuffe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Miguel Ixtahuacan, San Marcos, Guatemala, February 28, 2011.

TO THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

THE SAN MIGUEL IXTAHUACAN DEFENSE FRONT

REPORTS

FIRST: Today, on February 28, 2011, communities took action to pressure the government of Guatemala to carry out the Precautionary Measures MC-260-07 granted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which include the temporary suspension of the Marlin mine. The action consisted in peacefully blocking the main routes used by the company* in a way that respects the Constitution of our country, in which we have the right to protest.

SECOND: When the blockade began, a group of approximately 20 people assaulted Miguel Bamaca, despite the fact that the Presidential Human Rights Commission has granted him protectiv measures. Miguel Bamaca was beaten mercilessly by a family known as the Mejia family, together with neighbours who work for the company. These people have strong ties to the company and also to illegal business activities. This incident occurred at four thirty in the afternoon in a location known as Siete Platos.

THIRD: On the way back, near the community of San Jose Ixcaniche, approximately 70 members of this community intercepted the bus and began to assault various people who were travelling in the bus. Among them, our comrade Aniseto Lopez and others were beaten without being able to defend themselves. The attackers came armed with guns, stones, knives, sticks, and other weapons. Right now, approximately 50 people are kidnapped and being threatened by the community of San Jose Ixcaniche and the Mejia family.

FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE:

* We demand that the State of Guatemala vigorously ensure respect for the physical integrity and security of these people

* We ask the International Community for timely support in the face of this terrible violation of human rights.

* We denounce the horrible practice of the mining company* that manipulates its workers and places them in confrontation with the communities legally defending a right.

* We reject this practice created by the company by ordering its workers to take 60 people hostage.

We ask the IACHR to maintain its vigilance and to request of the State of Guatemala the strict respect of human rights, and particularly those of Peoples and communities.

San Miguel Ixtahuacan, San Marcos, Guatemala, February 28, 2011.

SAN MIGUEL IXTAHUACAN DEFENSE FRONT (Frente de Defensa Miguelense)

* Translator's Note: This is an unofficial translation of the original communique in Spanish. The mining company to which the communique refers is a Guatemalan subsidiary of the Canadian corporation Goldcorp, based in Vancouver, BC. New reports say that everyone has been released, but that many people fled into the mountains and some are injured. Please stay tuned to the comments below for updates.

For contact information, please see this message from solidarity organizations actively working in Guatemala NISGUA (US), Collectif Guatemala (France), Rights Action (Canada/US), Breaking the Silence Network (Canada).