Human rights delegations provide an opportunity to learn first-hand from communities affected by mining. Delegations are led by experienced individuals who are knowledgeable about the issue and the area – allowing you to get around the country with ease.
If you are interested in traveling via delegation, please get in touch with Grahame Russell from Rights action (info@rightsaction.org, 860-352-2448,. If you are already traveling in Guatemala, you may also consider traveling with operation groundswell directly to San Miguel Ixtahuacan from Quetzaltenango (Xela).
More info:
RIGHTS ACTION EDUCATIONAL DELEGATION TO GUATEMALA, July 7-15, 2012
COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, HUMAN RIGHTS & THE ENVIRONMENT versus MINING COMPANIES THAT MOIL FOR GOLD (silver & nickel)
This educational delegation will investigate environmental and health harms and other human rights violations caused by large-scale “mega-development” projects – particularly gold and nickel mining – in the context of Guatemala’s historic and on-going impunity, corruption and lack of justice, exploitation and poverty, and lack of democracy.
Over 7 days (& 8 nights), delegation members will meet with development, environmental, indigenous and human rights activists and experts. The group will travel by van to and spend a couple of nights visiting: Mayan-Qeqchi communities in eastern Guatemala suffering harms and violations caused by Canadian nickel companies (Hudbay Minerals, Skye Resources, INCO); and Mayan-Mam communities in western Guatemala suffering harms and violations caused by the Canadian gold mining company Goldcorp Inc.
POPULAR HEALTH TRIBUNAL: In the gold mining harmed regions, the delegation will participate in day 1 of a 2-day popular Health Tribunal being organized locally. (There is an option for delegates to stay on for the 2nd day)
Led by Grahame Russell, co-director of Rights Action, this educational trip will enable participants to learn first-hand about Guatemala’s political and human rights situation, including on-going efforts to seek truth and justice for the genocide and war crimes of the past; about problems caused by the global mining industry (as well as other “mega-development” industries such as hydro-electric dams, production of African Palm trees and sugar cane for bio-diesel fuels); and, about education, activism and organizing work in support of community-controlled development, the environment, human rights and justice.
COST: US$800. This covers: 8 nights of hotel; 3 meals a day for 7 days (a few days, there will only be 2 meals); 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 Guatemala.
DATES: Arrive in Guatemala City on Saturday July 7; depart on Sunday July 15. (There are no delegation activities planned for these dates)
FOR WHOM: Citizens and activists, donors, professors and educators, media, health, environment and legal professions, who are concerned about issues related to global exploitation-poverty-“development”; foreign interventions and repression; environmental destruction; and about amazing community-based for equality, justice and locally controlled development and environmental well-being.
INFORMATION, contact Grahame Russell: info@rightsaction.org, 860-352-2448,www.rightsaction.org
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Health Tribunal 