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La Puya: Celebrating 5 Years of Peaceful Resistance

La Puya:ENCAEnvironmental Celebrating Network for 5Central Years America of Peaceful www.enca.org.uk Resistance Issue 7 7 November 2019

CKDnT Plastics Indigenous Rights Improving research into and Guatemala repeals ban on Communities in Panama call for treatment of chronic kidney international investigation into plastics disease violations

International Allies

A new organisation in El Salvador, International Allies Coalition Against Mining in El Salvador, often just referred to as International Allies, has sent ENCA the following letter.

Dear friends and allies, social impacts they have already endured ENCA aims to work directly with from its Didipio gold mine. people in communities who are In October 2019, it will be three years seeking to arrest environmental since the government of El Salvador Along with their letter International Allies degradation and who are often successfully defended itself against Pacific sent details of several of their campaigns struggling against the repression and Rim/OceanaGold, a transnational mining around Latin America, two of which are violence of armies and police forces company that sued the small nation under from Central America. We have included acting under the command of the ICSID [International Court for the these accounts here (below) as they serve wealthy individuals, transnational Settlement of Investment Disputes] for a as updates on these two particular corporations and corrupt politicians. sum of US$250 million dollars for not campaigns which ENCA has actively We campaign with them to place granting a mining exploitation permit. The supported in the past. environmental rights within national company had never met regulatory constitutions and to ensure that the requirements to obtain a mining permit Supporting the implementation of exploitation of natural resources and ultimately lost the suit. This was an the mining ban in El Salvador benefits the many and not just the important turning point in a twelve-year few and is carried out within struggle, led by a wide coalition of We have continued to support the sustainable and renewable bounds. communities, social organisations, faith activities of member organisations of groups, academics and political parties the National Roundtable Against that demanded a nationwide prohibition Metallic Mining, a grassroots coalition Contact Details on all metal mining in the small country. In that led a local movement to prohibit Email: [email protected] March 2017, El Salvador made history as mining in March 2017. Since the mining Website: www.enca.org.uk its legislative assembly passed a prohibition, local organisations have unanimous law to prohibit mining. Our continued to advocate with Chair: Doug Specht International Allies coalition played an government authorities measures to [email protected] important supporting role with ensure a proper implementation of Salvadoran mining-affected communities the prohibition laws. The environmental and local organisations to also challenge movement has now formed the National Secretary: Sheila Amoo-Gottfried trade agreements and arbitration Alliance against the Privatization of 0208 769 0492 tribunals that facilitate the exploitation of Water to fight attempts by the Legislative sheila.amoo-gottfried@ people and natural resources, and give Assembly to privatize the management talktalk.net corporations powerful tools to impose and distribution of water resources as the their interests at great cost to people and new government of president Treasurer: Esma Helvacioglu the environment. Nayib Bukele moves the country [email protected] towards a more business friendly As international allies we have come a environment. Postal Address long way since then. Inspired by the ENCA, c/o NSC victories in El Salvador, we have expanded The peaceful resistance of La Puya Durham Road Resource Centre our work to different parts of Latin in Guatemala vs. KCA America where we are engaged with local 86 Durham Rd, Finsbury Park, communities and local organisations London N7 7DT International Allies, such as IPS, fighting multinational companies MiningWatch Canada, CIEL, and gambling with people´s rights at Earthworks are collaborating with other investor/state tribunals. Also, in the Editors: international and Guatemalan Philippines, we are working with local Martin Mowforth organisations to support communities environmental organisations and Doug Specht peacefully resisting the ‘El Tambor’ government institutions that are trying to gold mining project. Communities in the stop OceanaGold from obtaining an municipalities of San José del Golfo and extension of its exploitation licence as a Cover Photo: San Pedro Ayampuc, just north of result of the serious environmental and Iisg.org Guatemala City, who are part of ‘La Puya’

worry that this mine will jeopardize >>

International Allies . the health and the environment, Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). More information especially given already scarce water supplies. For their peaceful resistance, This has put the peaceful resistance at • National Roundtable Against Mining they have faced defamation, greater risk, particularly as Guatemalan Demands the Implementation of the Mining criminalization, targeted violence and authorities publicly blame them for the Ban: http://tiny.cc/ke5gfz violent repression. The project has been suit. It also puts undue pressure on • National Roundtable against Metal Mining suspended since 2016 by decision of the Guatemalan courts deliberating pending Demands technical closure of mines: Constitutional Court over the Ministry of cases at a time when the Guatemalan http://tiny.cc/ih5gfz Energy and Mine’s failure to consult with government has been in open • Marcelo's Legacy: The environmentalist Indigenous people prior to granting the confrontation with the Constitutional who fought against metal mining in El license. The company, Nevada-based Court and sacked the UN anti-corruption Salvador: http://tiny.cc/ij5gfz • Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (KCA), is body, CICIG [International Commission Trans-local mining activism connects Nevada and Guatemala: also the subject of an investigation for Against Corruption and Impunity in http://tiny.cc/yl5gfz illegal extraction of natural resources for Guatemala]. • Over Two Hundred Organizations Denounce not having suspended operations Multimillion Lawsuit: http://tiny.cc/np5gfz immediately. Neither did it obtain a valid In response, we have been facilitating • North American mining company sues construction license for its mine. opportunities for Guatemalan community Guatemala in La Puya case: members and organisations to learn from http://tiny.cc/hr5gfz Despite many questions over the the experiences of Salvadorans, as well as legitimacy and legality of its mining coordinating efforts with a wider network project, KCA is retaliating with a US$300 of allies to build solidarity and to focus International Allies Coalition Against Mining in El Salvador · 23 Calle Poniente, San Salvador, El million international arbitration suit international attention on La Puya’s Salvador · San Salvador, CA 00000 · El Salvador against Guatemala that it launched in peaceful struggle and KCA’s abusive suit. https://www.stopesmining.org November 2018 under the terms of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free

Inter-regional railway to link Panamá with Mexico? Government of Panamá searches for

In Sept. 2019 the Central American The regional railway would create incentives to promote recycling Bank for Economic Integration hundreds of jobs and immediate (BCIE) and the Central American economic growth, improving the On 2 October, El Economista reported that the government Parliament announced feasibility region’s competitiveness through of Panamá was looking for ways of incentivising recycling. plans to create a regional railway to moving goods and people more Speaking at an international symposium on sustainability link cities and countries along the quickly and at much lower cost organised by the Industrial Union of Panamá, the length of the isthmus. Due to the than by road. The Bank now Environment Minister Milciades Concepción said that recycling by industry is practically nil: “Here we can’t set up high investment costs, the railway recognises rail as the recycling plants because there are no incentives,” he would need to be funded by a development stimulus for an declared. public-private sector partnership. industrial revolution in the region The most likely stage to start because it is no longer viable to According to official figures the Bay of Panamá receives construction will be an electric keep building roads, due to the 175,000 tonnes of waste each year, much of which is passenger train to link the Costa high level of traffic congestion. composed of plastics. The Director of Urban and Household Rican cities of San José, Cartago, However, making fully regional Hygiene Pedro Castillo said that “on recycling we are years Heredia and Alajuela, at a cost of rail connection a reality remains a behind.” US$ 1,400 million. The Bank will long way off still. shortly approve credit funding for Cerro Patacón is the main landfill dump for the city of this 86km length of railway, with 42 Source: summarised from Panamá and the 150 informal recyclers who work there find stations and trains running every 3- newspaper article ‘BCIE y the collection of plastic material to be less attractive than 5 minutes. The Salvadoran and Parlacen ven factible tren de the collection of other materials because of the low demand Guatemalan governments have Panamá a México para unir for plastics. requested Bank assistance to fund región’, El Economista, 26th Sept. feasibility studies for reactivating 2019. The United Nations Environment Programme calculates that the former Pacific and in Latin America only 10 per cent of all waste material Transoceanic rail lines in these generated is recycled, and that this rate is lower in areas of respective countries. Each Central poverty. UNEP also estimates that each year 8 million tonnes American country member of BCIE of plastic reach the sea, and that if this continues, by 2050 has access to around US$450 there will be more plastics in the oceans than fish. million per year for public investments.

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 3 CKDnT

Chronic Kidney Disease in Sugar Cane Workers

The last time we reported on the epidemic of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnT) was in ENCA 71 (November 2017). At that time PASE (Professionals for Social and Economic Transparency) was concerned about the lack of information in the European Union about the effects of sugar cane production on plantation workers and their families, despite the fact that the EU was increasing its import of sugar and rum from western Nicaragua where the CKDnT epidemic was especially strong. PASE worked with the La Isla Network (LIN) around the cities of Chinandega and Chichigalpa and had difficult relations with the San Antonio Sugar Mill in Chichigalpa (one of the largest in Nicaragua) and with the Nicaraguan government. These relations made the conduct of their research into the causes and treatment of CKDnT difficult and both organisations suffered a crisis of funding in part as a result of this problem.

We are pleased now to report that the La our occupational health intervention, The specifically, must be a priority. Isla Network and the San Antonio Sugar Adelante Initiative. The project is Mill have repaired their relations and have supported by the DEG and the BMZ, two The aim is to validate and adapt these recently received major funding for their German institutions dedicated to efforts to other affected sugar producing work as their news release outlines below. sustainable development that come regions, as well as other industries whose together via their Developpp programme. workforce is at risk from heat stress, CKDu, La Isla Network Recipient of Major This support grew out of a smaller project and other related occupational illnesses. Funding for the Adelante Initiative under the DEG's business support services We look forward to continuing our work where LIN was the first NGO in their with the San Antonio Sugar Mill and LIN supporters may have wondered why history to be a contractor with DEG. Here remain pleased with how productive this we have been so quiet as of late. One we formed the basis for an occupational relationship has been these last two thing we have learned is that constant health and safety programme that we can years. blasts on social media and flash-in-the- bring to scale. The new funding support of pan press attention does not advance the nearly $2 million USD will continue The Together, we have garnered important research into CKDu (Chronic Kidney Adelante Initiative for 2019 and into 2021. allies in the development sector and Disease of undetermined causes); nor together we are sending a message via does it create the on-the-ground The San Antonio Sugar Mill and LIN are both conviction and data, that no industry structural changes needed to save lives. It also continuing to invest their own should ignore the health of their workers. is often prudent to put our collective resources into the project and additional heads down, build alliances, and do the support is provided by other project We will have a lot more to share in the hard work of deconstructing a problem partners who are critical to the success of coming months, including an Adelante and then work towards building a Adelante. The Nicaragua Sugar Producers Initiative podcast series that is hosted by solution. When we have something to Association will be essential in ensuring sustainable business, human rights and say, we say it, and right now we have the project grows both within Nicaragua environment commentator Ian Welsh, something very exciting to share. and the region. Our long-time allies at who will explore different aspects of the Bonsucro will ensure the findings are initiative’s work, dedicated to creating disseminated internationally and what we safe and productive work practices in the are doing is being incorporated into an sugarcane industry and beyond. Over the last few months we have been improved Bonsucro Standard. To that end, working with our Adelante Initiative I would like to announce that LIN’s Ilana Thank you for your support. You have partner, San Antonio Sugar Mill, in Weiss is part of the working group on the helped LIN make the leap from a scrappy acquiring substantial financial support for Bonsucro Standard Revision and is advocacy organisation, to a network of focused on ensuring healthy committed institutions which have the labour conditions are a priority in expertise, passion and leverage to drive the new standard. real structural change at the highest levels of development and industry. The Big Picture As we say these days around LIN, The DEG recognises that Adelante (onwards). international development is ineffective if aid to certain Further details can be found at: industries is contributing to the http://adelanteinitiative.org/about/ detriment of the workforce and https://laislanetwork.org/ surrounding communities. The http://isaresource.com/2017/03/29/la- DEG and all of our Adelante isla-network-ingenio-san-antonio-joined- partners believe that occupational forces/ health, and addressing CKDu

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 4 Honduras.

Guatemalan Government bans plastics; then repeals ban.

Further to our round-up of plastics-related legislation in Central American countries (ENCA 75, April this year) and our update in ENCA 76, ENCA member Lucy Goodman has provided translations and a summary of two articles which between them illustrate the cynical greenwash deployed by governments in their relationship with environmental protection. In this case, the government of Guatemala is shown to be the cheating ‘greenwasher’. (Both articles were originally sourced from the Spanish News Agency EFE and appeared in El Economista 20/09/19.)

In September the Government of years to accomplish the transition and find culture, education, environmental Guatemala announced the prohibition of the right substitutes. awareness” declared Giammattei to the the use and distribution of single-use Questioned about the loss of jobs in the press after he left a meeting with the plastic bags and other plastic items in plastics sector, Morales advocated seeing Chamber of Commerce. [ENCA editorial order to contribute to the protection of the benefits and asked for it not to get comment: as if that is what he is going to the environment and gave a two-year "dramatic" and "to find a solution to the do. Please find us a Guatemalan politician deadline for adapting to this measure. issues". who we can believe.]

The Ministry of the Environment and The Plastics Commission of the Giammattei had warned that he would Natural Resources published the Guatemalan Exporters Association, look into this agreement because in his government agreement in the official daily formed of 60 manufacturers and export view there is a "much deeper" problem. newspaper (Diario de Centro America), companies states on its website that the [ENCA editorial comment: indeed there is; announcing the restriction that also sector creates some 10,000 jobs directly it is the deep corruption within applies to plastic straws, plates, cups, and 60,000 indirectly, and the plastics Guatemalan state politics and the containers and plastic or polystyrene food industry is the “industry of export, Chamber of Commerce.] packaging. indirectly the most important in the country”. The principal export Various commercial sectors have spoken This movement does not restrict or limit destinations of these products are Central out against the measure because they any municipal initiatives with the same America, the Caribbean, the United States consider the real problem of purpose, as within several constituencies and Mexico. contamination is in the management and in the country, similar measures have control of solid waste, while the Plastics already been in place for a while. The [ENCA editorial comment: it is rumoured Commission of the Guatemalan Exporters Ministry of Environment and Natural that President Morales knew that the Association states that 10,000 direct and Resources will be verifying, inspecting and measure would be repealed by any right- 60,000 indirect jobs are at risk. [ENCA monitoring compliance with this wing successor to the presidency. Enter editorial comment: the real problem of legislation itself, and will train legal stage right: President Elect Giammattei.] contamination is in the state of persons to apply the corresponding Guatemalan national politics.] sanctions for non-compliance. President-elect of Guatemala to repeal the agreement to ban plastic The only exempt plastic items will be those "for medical or therapeutic purposes", as Guatemala's President- well as imported items that are "factory elect Alejandro sealed with plastic material or expanded Giammattei announced polystyrene". on Wednesday that when he takes office on Showing a photo of a tortoise tangled in January 14th, he will plastic, the president Jimmy Morales repeal the agreement celebrated on social media this decision in that prohibits the use which “Guatemala says no to plastic” and and distribution of affirmed that this changes the country for single-use plastic bags, future generations to come. “It’s time to among other products. change our form of consumption, for our nation and the future of our children” he “It will be repealed on proclaimed. the 14th January. Plastic usage is not prohibited; Subsequently, in a press conference, the there are other more president reiterated his pleasure with this important things to do. decision, that there are other products We must focus on available for use, and that there are two

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 5 Belize

The environment in Belize: Little Rain; Stagnant; Polluted Rivers; Dengue

In August this year, The Guardian (London) On the environment and health fronts, it but when the talk began for the published an article entitled ‘Why tiny has not been a good year. We are a little construction of the Chalillo dam, designed Belize is a world leader in protecting the past halfway through 2019 and we are in a to store water to be released to the ocean’. The article was written by Jo Griffin drought that’s beginning to compare with Mollejon in the dry season, there were and can be found at: http://tiny.cc/3j4gfz 1975: at least two of our rivers have never major challenges. been this unhealthy, and we are in the The article lauds Belize for its Managed middle of a frightening dengue outbreak. Some experts knew that this second dam Access programme of fishing in nine We are also in the midst of making final could seriously impact the Macal River, protected zones of the marine preparations for that time of year, our negatively, and some argued that the environment. It also very appropriately nervous annual storm watching season. impacts would be catastrophic, that the points out the problems of enforcement We normally don’t look favourably at beauty and the quality and the life of the and mentions some of the other pressures weather systems coming off the west river would be ruined. Many also on the programme, but in general it gives coast of Africa, but this year we might expressed concerns about the site of the the impression that Belize is a world leader welcome a storm, if it doesn’t reach dam. It was argued, some say proven, that on tackling environmental issues. The Category 1, and if it throws some, not too claims that the dam was being constructed Managed Access programme may well be much, water our way. on granite rock were false. a praiseworthy scheme, and there is no doubt that the country is home to many The big drought of 1975 drove a lot of After successfully navigating through the people who try to earn an honest and small farmers backward because, at the courts – the challengers to the Chalillo sustainable living with excellent ideas and encouragement of the Marketing Board dam took the matter all the way to the practices relating to both society and the and the Ministry of Agriculture, they had Privy Court – another dam to store more environment. But the impression that taken loans from the DFC to expand their water, the Vaca, was constructed on the Belize is a world leader on environmental farms using improved technology. Macal. The experts might know if it is one, issues belies the corruption that lies behind Farmers in the Cayo District, especially, two, or all three that killed the river. so many political and economic decisions borrowed money to bulldoze small there. As Candy Gónzalez of BELPO (Belize parcels, prepare the land with rubber A very famous Belizean said, “Progress Institute of Environmental Law and Policy) wheel tractors, and purchase fertilizers Brings Problems.” Many knew the dams said upon reading the article: “And all is and seeds. They ended up owing, and would cause problems, and a few of them right in the world. There is no climate many of them never recovered. The have never wavered from keeping their change; there is no corruption; people interest on their loans ate them up. They concerns in front of the authorities and aren’t starving; our rivers are not polluted, would never venture past plantation the Belizean people. sending poison to the Reef...” (milpa) agriculture again. For a long time the leaders for the Also, in August this year, the Belizean Grain production has largely been taken protection of the Macal River have been twice-weekly newspaper Amandala over by the Mennonite group, and they George and Candy Gonzalez of BELPO published an editorial piece entitled: ‘The have been hard hit by the lack of rain this (Belize Institute of Environmental Law and sad state of our Belize rivers: little rain; year. The good news is that many in this Policy). They were among those who stagnant, polluted rivers; dengue’. The group are not as vulnerable as were the challenged the construction of the Chalillo article paints a somewhat different picture small farmers in Cayo back in 1975. It has dam, and they were upfront with their of the country. We reproduce the editorial been a bad season, especially for farmers views when the Vaca dam was proposed below. producing crops in the grass family. too.

We are grateful to Amandala, in the form The website, waterpowermagazine.com, of editor Russell Vellos, for permission to For nearly three decades citizens living in the story, “Vaca dam challenge goes to reproduce this editorial piece here. along or near the Macal River have been court”, said that BELPO had “gone to the Amandala is a Belizean tabloid pointing out that the river was in danger. court for an injunction, as well as a newspaper; published twice weekly, it is The Macal has been dammed three times, compliance order (or writ mandamus), considered the "most widely circulated with the Mollejon in the 1990s, the ordering the Department of the newspaper in Belize". Chalillo in the 2000s, and the Vaca, around Environment to enforce the country’s 2010. environmental laws. The plaintiffs https://www.amandala.com.bz maintain that there should be no talk There were some questions asked when about building a third dam at Vaca when the Mollejon, a run-of-river dam with the environmental compliance plan for >> limited water storage capacity, was built,

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 6 Belize .

the second dam, Chalillo, is not being On the New River it goes a lot deeper than the region only had the DEN-2 serotype. complied with.” oxygen starvation. The story there is also Then DEN-1 entered the scene in 1977, about serious pollution. When the followed by DEN-4 and a new strain of In a March 29, 2019 letter to the crocodiles have belly ache you know you DEN-2 in 1981, this last virus triggering the Amandala, “20 Years of Misinformation”, have a very serious problem. Dr. Marisa Cuban epidemic. DEN-3 was the most one of many letters that BELPO has sent to Tellez, the Executive Director of the recent virus to reappear, after many years this newspaper over the years, the Crocodile Research Coalition, in a story absence. organisation said, “Those who pushed for reported on Channel Seven News, said she the deal to build the dams on the Macal has been studying the crocodile “While infection by one dengue virus River, three politicians and a senator, have population in Belize and what they found provides lifelong immunity to that no shame as to what their actions have with the crocodiles in the New River was serotype, it increases the risk of severe cost the people along the Macal and Belize disturbing. illness when an individual is later infected Rivers. by any of the other dengue serotypes. As Dr. Tellez said, “We were finding a result, hyperendemicity – the circulation “The water in the Macal River is polluted crocodiles that were highly lethargic. Their of multiple serotypes – produces more and people shouldn’t drink it or swim in it. skin was peeling off. Their skin was turning DHF cases and more deaths.” Many of the fish in the river have high a whitish-bluish tone. We found many levels of mercury, which affects the young crocodiles with no teeth.” The problems with the Macal and New central nervous system and is most Rivers, and the dangerous dengue dangerous to children and pregnant Most everyone knew there were things situation, are not going away by women. There is still no workable dam going on with the New River that were themselves. The response of our break early warning system.” different from what was going on in the authorities is wanting. Crooked Tree Lagoon, and the lack of rain A footnote to the letter pointed out that this year has forced these issues to the https://amandala.com.bz/news/rain- Dr. Candy Gonzalez was “one of two NGO fore. The New River is being assaulted by stagnant-polluted-rivers-dengue/ representatives on the National factory effluent, human waste, and waste Environmental Appraisal Committee from agricultural developments. There is Anna Nwagwu is a supporter of ENCA who (NEAC) for over 7 years and was the sole another task here for environmental and has just finished a stint of volunteering in ‘no’ vote in the 10-1 decision to give agricultural scientists, and engineers. Belize (September 2019). Towards the end environmental clearance for the Chalillo of her time there she and her boyfriend Reservoir/Dam.” The problems on the Macal and New rivers James Jordan went on a tour of the New are not the only environmental concerns River through the Belizean tropical The water is behind the dams now, a done for this country. There are other rainforest in Orange Walk province. She deal, and the Macal River has become a rivers/creeks that are under siege, there is sent us a short summary of some stagnant waterway, with the beauty gone, concern for the quality of the sea in front highlights – or perhaps we should say with fish with mercury levels that make of Belize’s largest population centre, ‘lowlights’ – of the tour. them inedible, with water lilies growing in Belize City, and there is concern that ships pools of dead water where once there was coming to our country might not be “The tour operator wore a face a vital, flowing stream. All that can be respecting our environmental laws. Our coverage/mask because of the strong considered at this time are measures to authorities have their triumphs, one of smell of the poisoned river, to avoid mitigate the damage, as much as possible. them being a far more advanced system directly inhaling the toxics within the river This calls for honesty and urgency on the for solid waste disposal, but for the most which are the waste of the American sugar part of our environmental and agricultural part they seem overwhelmed, and failing. factory nearby. The tour operator politely scientists, and engineers. asked us to not touch the water under any Another huge problem for Belize at this circumstances. There were certain The New River has been spitting up dead time is a scary dengue epidemic that is sections of the river where the whole fish during the dry season for decades, and already a horror story. Reports are that we surface was covered by dead fish and everyone knew that there were things have nearly 2,000 cases this year, far more wherever tree branches/bushes touched going on in that river that were similar to than double any previous year, and the the river, they were dead and grey. In fact what happens sometimes to the Crooked experts are saying that when the rains the river had a thick grey layer on top of it. Tree Lagoon. Whenever rains are below come, to help our farmers, we might see normal, especially in periods that can be an increased incidence of dengue. People who live nearby complain about considered as drought conditions, there is the smell getting stronger and stronger. oxygen starvation and this is evidenced by Dengue is a debilitating, sometimes fatal Belizeans say that the reason for the layer fish dying. disease. The WHO (World Health or film of dirt is the extreme drought Organisation) says that in 1970, “when during the rainy season as well as the Latin America lived largely dengue-free, sugar factory which releases its waste and sewage into the river.”

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 7 Indigenous Rights

Panamanian indigenous organisations call for international investigation into rights violations caused by transmission line in Panamá

In August ENCA received the following press release from the Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL) regarding the potential damage that may be caused by the construction of an electricity transmission line across indigenous land in Panamá. We are grateful to both CIEL and MODETEAB (Movement for the Defence of the Territories and Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro) for their permission to reproduce their statement in the ENCA Newsletter. Appropriate addresses and websites are given for both organisations below the release.

Panamá City/Washington, DC — On Transmission Company — has pushed with its international obligations, International Day of the World’s forward the Transmission Line IV project including the duty to respect indigenous Indigenous Peoples, a coalition of without adequately consulting the peoples’ right to prior consultation and Panamanian indigenous organisations and affected indigenous communities. This consent, as well as the duty to protect the international allies presented a violates their right to consultation and rights of indigenous peoples to conserve submission to the United Nations (UN) and free, prior and informed consent, which is their territories and natural resources, to the Inter-American Commission on protected under the United Nations enjoy their own means of subsistence, and Human Rights (IACHR) about the risks Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous to maintain their distinctive spiritual and various indigenous communities are Peoples as well as numerous human rights cultural relationship with their lands.” facing as a result of a planned transmission instruments. line. Contacts: In addition, it is expected that the project • Feliciano Santos, Coordinador del Cutting through the ancestral lands of will pave the way for new development Movimiento por la Defensa de los these communities, the electric projects, including a coastal highway, Territorios y Ecosistemas de Bocas transmission line would threaten not just massive mining projects, and real estate del Toro (MODETEAB), one of the last intact tropical rainforests in speculation, which would lead to [email protected], +507 Panamá, but also the economic, social, dispossession of land, the destruction of 6656-1696 (Spanish only) and cultural survival of the indigenous traditional ways of life, and the • Sarah Dorman, Programa de Pueblos, peoples living in the affected area. deforestation and pollution of the Tierra y Recursos en el Centro para Through this submission, the signatory affected areas. In spite of these foreseen el Derecho Ambiental Internacional organisations denounce before the risks, the State of Panamá has refused to (CIEL), [email protected], +1 202- international community the adopt adequate measures to protect the 742-5854 environmental and social damage that the economic and cultural rights of these project would cause. Further, they communities, in addition to their rights to Note for editors: denounce the ways in which the project land and to live in a healthy environment. The communication was addressed to the has violated the right of indigenous Special Rapporteur of the UN on the rights communities to be consulted before For this reason, the signatory of indigenous peoples, Victoria Tauli projects of this magnitude are approved. organisations decided to communicate Corpuz; to the Special Rapporteur of the their concerns to the Special Rapporteurs UN on human rights and the environment, “Having been excluded from a process of of the UN and the IACHR, requesting that David Boyd; to the UN Special Rapporteur effective consultation, our community they investigate, evaluate, and monitor in the field of cultural rights, Karima objects to the project, especially in light of the situation and that they urge the State Bennoune; to the Rapporteur on the the grave and irreversible impacts it will of Panamá to take immediate Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the IACHR, have for our communities,” said Feliciano preventative measures to suspend the Antonia Urrejola Noguera; to the Special Santos, Coordinator of the Movement for planning and construction of the Rapporteur on Economic, Social, Cultural, the Defence of the Territories and transmission line until the affected and Environmental Rights of the IACHR, Ecosystems of Bocas del Toro communities’ concerns have been fully Soledad García Muñoz; and to the (MODETEAB). “For us, this project addressed. Rapporteur for Panamá of the IACHR, represents much more than a simple Flávia Piovesan. incursion into our territories, because if “The international community should take we lose access to our lands, we will be at note that this situation is indicative of a CIEL risk of losing our homes and ways of life, pattern of projects illegitimately imposed Since 1989, the Centre for International in addition to our cultural values, ethnic by the Panamanian authorities within Environmental Law (CIEL) has used the power of identity, and traditions forged in our indigenous peoples’ territories,” said law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. ancestral territories.” Sarah Dorman of the People, Land, and Its headquarters are in Washington DC Resources Programme at the Centre for ([email protected]) and its European office is in As the submission explains, ETESA — International Environmental Law (CIEL). Geneva ([email protected]). Panamá’s state-owned Electric “The Panamanian State must fully comply www.ciel.org

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 8 Labour Rights .

Serious abuses of labour rights in Costa Rica and Honduras At the beginning of October this year we received the following report from Banana Link, to whom we are grateful for their work and reports. Since the summer of 2015, the Make Fruit The Honduran Labour Inspectorate has ANEXCO management and Fyffes, and the Fair! campaign has collected evidence of also found non-payment of minimum local unions report continued failure to very serious violations of core labour wages and other statutory benefits. comply with core labour standards standards at specific Fyffes’ subsidiaries; Additionally, a 2015 report by the U.S. enshrined in Costa Rican legislation. ANEXCO in Costa Rica and Suragroh and Department of Labour confirmed Melon Export SA in Honduras, where a allegations that Suragroh failed to pay the The rights abuses at ANEXCO are the subject of an ongoing Make Fruit Fair largely female workforce, reliant on minimum wage, among a lengthy list of urgent action launched in September temporary seasonal work, is particularly other violations. vulnerable. 2015. The key demands of respect for Workers are required to provide their own labour rights and an end to harassment

work equipment such as hoes, machetes and discrimination against union These violations include: failure to pay and shoes, the costs of which can amount members have yet to be met. minimum wages and social insurance (an to an entire week’s income. estimated £2.5m in pay and social Both cases clearly illustrate that Fyffes is insurance has been withheld); exposure of Workers are also exposed to hazardous also in breach of OECD Guidelines for workers to hazardous agrochemicals; chemicals, many reporting headaches, Multinational Enterprises for the failure to failure to respect freedom of association sickness and temperatures as a result, and “Respect the right of their employees to including threats, harassment and sacking report a lack of information about and be represented by trade unions”. of union members; and blocking collective training to avoid and be protected from Banana Link and many of our partners bargaining processes. the dangers of chemical exposure. In December 2015, about 100 women from Europe and Latin America wrote to In the case of Suragroh, Make Fruit Fair suffered poisoning, 14 of whom were Fyffes Chairman, David McCann, in partner Banana Link and the International November last year asking him to take hospitalised, after they were accidentally Union of Foodworkers (IUF) has alleged dropped off downwind of herbicide and action to address these issues, but we breaches of the UK’s Ethical Trading received no response. chlorine spraying in an adjoining plot. Initiative Base Code for failure to respect unions and pay living wages, and Fyffes Meanwhile, at ANEXCO, dialogue has refused to participate in local facilitated by the Costa Rican Ministry of mediation to remedy these. Labour has failed to provide a space in which local unions can negotiate with Case Studies:

“They never contributed to social “I got pregnant, and they do not allow “Fyffes in Honduras does not respect insurance and now I will not be able to pregnancy” – Marys Suyapa Gómez, the fundamental rights of women retire or finally rest after so many years sacked for being pregnant after working at workers; the majority of employees are spent on the plantations. I have to Suragroh for 15 years women who have up to 26 years of work without social security rights or social continue looking for work to survive.” – María Gómez (65) who worked for nearly benefits. We demand respect for freedom 30 years as a supervisor at Melon Export of association and collective SA. bargaining.” – Iris Munguia, Coordinator, COLSIBA (the Regional Coordination of Latin American Banana & Agro-Industrial Workers’ Unions)

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 9 Agroecology

Agroecology in Nicaragua: transforming the way Agroecology: the next generation people live and their relationship to the land “Agroecology is a revolution! [W]e are killing the Earth … the most urgent task we face is the search for ways to protect it.” Marlen By ENCA member and NSC representative intergenerational and international Sánchez, director, Latin America Helen Yuill solidarity. Agroecology Institute, Nicaragua (IALA).

According to an International Panel on A fundamental area of the ATC’s work is Climate Change (IPCC) report of 7 August providing training for the next generation of 2019, our food system – including farming small farmers. This is carried out through an and grazing, transportation, packaging, and ATC youth network and the setting up of an feed production – produces a catastrophic IALA. 37% of greenhouse gas emissions. The first group of students aged from 17 – 30 With the sharp rise in international from Central American and Caribbean La Vía awareness of the gravity of the climate crisis, Campesina organisations are due to the 200 million strong international Empowering women farmers: the Gloria graduate in November this year. The movement of small farmers and indigenous Quintanilla Co-operative objective of IALA is to provide a very broad, peoples, La Vía Campesina, is playing a key holistic training — technical, political, and role in not only denouncing our current One of eight communities that the ATC is ideological — as the basis for not only system as unsustainable but also proposing supporting is a co-operative of 22 women in working towards food sovereignty but also and putting into practice alternative models the village of Santa Julia south west of fundamentally transforming society and that protect the environment as well as Managua where 79 families live. people’s relationship with the land. people. The land was a heavily polluted coffee The campus itself is an agroecological farm On 17 December, 2018 the UN approved a plantation owned by the Somoza family. created and maintained by the students, declaration of the rights of peasants and Since being granted the land under the course facilitators, and workers. other people working in rural areas, the Sandinista agrarian reform programme in outcome of a 17 year struggle by La Vía the 1980s, the women have successfully The course creates a shared learning Campesina and other organisations. The transformed the area through using community with training that covers the declaration “endorses the protection of agroecology. This has strengthened their principles and practice of agroecology. Time livelihoods of peasants and all small-scale self-sufficiency in food and also enabled spent in the IALA is alternated with time food producers feeding the world.” them to secure extra income through selling spent on practical application in their home food to neighbours and in the local markets. communities. The Rural Workers Association (ATC) in Nicaragua was a founder member of La Vía As well as organic coffee, the women grow Equally important as the training in Campesina in 1993 and plays a prominent bananas, plantains, cassava, yam, environmentally sustainable agriculture is role nationally and internationally in vegetables, maize, bamboo and a wide political preparation so that the students are advocating for agroecology, food variety of fruit. These are grown under taller able to have a multiplier effect in sovereignty and climate justice. trees that provide shade from the intense strengthening their own communities and tropical sun. Seeds are produced locally, organisations on their return home. The ATC has two areas of work: defending saved and exchanged with other farmers. the employment rights of rural workers in Helen Yuill from the Nicaragua Solidarity the coffee, banana and tobacco sectors; and This diversification increases resilience to Campaign (NSC) visited Nicaragua on a supporting co-operatives and communities crises whether they are related to climate delegation organised by Friends of the ATC, growing coffee, maize, beans, fruit, and chaos or political upheavals. To overcome a US solidarity network building solidarity vegetables using agroecological methods. water shortages the co-operative together with and support for the ATC. Over the with the local community harvest water in coming year NSC will be developing a In line with La Vía Campesina principles and the rainy season in underground tanks and programme of raising awareness and practice the ATC views agroecology as much pits and use it to water plants in the dry solidarity links with the ATC including the more than organic farming. It’s about season. organisation of a speaker tour of the UK by transforming the way we live and our an ATC representative in 2020. relationship to the land. This transformation The strength of the co-op lies in the way in can only be achieved through a holistic which older women and younger women Further information: integrated approach that includes poverty work together, and its commitment to www.nicaraguasc.org.uk reduction, gender equality, overcoming community solidarity and promoting gender FB nicaraguasc dependence through food sovereignty, the equality. One member commented: “Now Twitter NSCAG_UK cultural recovery of traditional medicines, we are rich in terms of our organisation as a political activism, building the social co-operative.” economy, and community,

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 10 Drought in Honduras .

include poor infrastructure, corporate Ten months without rain caused severe and political interests and dominance of plantation land owned by international droughts in Honduras enterprises.

The following is a summary of two articles heavily affected as the two most In addition to these challenging from the Salvadoran daily La Prensa important reservoirs that supply the conditions, developing nations like Gráfica which itself used reports from the capital had a 20 percent decrease in Honduras tend to feel the impacts of Spanish News Agency EFE. They were capacity. Residents of Tegucigalpa were climate change more acutely, but are less translated and summarized by ENCA’s forced to get water from small streams equipped to respond to it. Climate change Brazilian member Pamela Machado who and rivers outside or purchase water from affects farmers and ranchers directly, is currently living in Lisbon, Portugal. We private tanks. many of them depending on the activity are grateful to Pamela, La Prensa Gráfica for a living. and EFE for the information. The drought has wrecked crops, compromising agricultural productivity As the consequences of climate change As if Hondurans do not have enough and the income of many families. It is become increasingly evident, an problems to face, with a corrupt, estimated that almost 50 per cent of corn economy heavily dependent on weather gangster-run, narco government in and beans production of 2019 was lost as conditions provokes hunger and poverty control, ultra-high levels of violence and a result of the scarcity of water supply. and accentuates inequality. In order to poor and deteriorating public services, its Livestock production was also deeply survive the poor harvest, many Honduran producers now suffer drought conditions. affected. Ramos, a rancher from Olancho, families and workers see no other option has never seen such a severe drought in than to find alternatives to increase their In September a lack of water led his 56 years of activity, he said to EFE, the income. Immigrating to neighbouring Honduras to be declared in a ‘state of Spanish News Agency. Ramos believes cities and countries, and even making emergency’ after 10 months without ranchers like him have some guilt as their way up to North America, has rainfall. The drought had serious cattle ruin natural areas. proved to be a frequent escape out of the consequences for agricultural production, precarious conditions in their home cattle and the levels of drinkable water Méndez, another rancher from Olancho, country. available. The dry weather is a result of agrees: “We have damaged nature so climate change and these circumstances much and now we have to pay the bill.” Securing improvements in the conditions are likely to occur again next year, Méndez's words reflect the reality that is of agricultural workers in Honduras warned president Juan Orlando seen in the Valle de Agalta, where the would be an important factor in tackling Hernández. forests are being destroyed, many of the harsh effects of climate change, them no longer have trees, as a result of creating more sustainable methods for The most affected departments were cattle in the region’s pastures. agriculture and leaving farmers less Olancho, El Paraíso, Yoro, Francisco vulnerable to environmental shocks. But Morazán, Valle and Choluteca. In Agriculture is a primary source of income in order for effective changes to happen, Olancho, one of the main producers of and economic activity for the Honduran government support, adequate policies, crops, incidents of fires were registered population; however, despite its and most importantly a will to change, are during the last days of August, an importance for the subsistence of necessary. uncommon circumstance for this time of families, farmers face numerous the year. The capital Tegucigalpa was also limitations in their activities. These Phillip Wearne

In ENCA Newsletter no. 73 (June 2018), we published an obituary of Phillip Wearne who in his last two years of life had become an active and essential member of ENCA. The knowledge and understanding of the rest of us who attended ENCA meetings were improved enormously by Phillip’s remarkable knowledge and understanding of the Central American region and the issues of development which shaped it. His sudden and untimely death at the age of 60 deprived us and many others of his wisdom and advice.

In sorting out and managing Phillip’s estate, his three sisters, Jane, Sue and Liz, have seen fit to make a substantial donation to ENCA in the hope that it: “… will contribute to ENCA’s continued sponsorship of small, sustainable, grassroots projects and development activities. It will be a fitting tribute to our brother’s memory and a lasting legacy to know that he continues to have a positive impact by promoting sustainable human development, poverty reduction and political empowerment of grassroots communities in Central America. It was an area of the world which captured his heart and mind.”

ENCA is extremely grateful to Jane, Sue and Liz and will do everything we can to ensure that the extra funds will be used precisely as they describe.

ENCA Newsletter 77 | Page 11 The Back Page

ENCA’S ENVIRONMENTAL CIS - Saint Oscar Romero Invitation to an evening about STUDY TOUR TO BELIZE 40th Anniversary Delegation agroecology in Nicaragua.

Further to our early notice of a possible Solidarity and the Struggle for Social London, 19/11/2019 at 7 pm, Highgate environmental study tour to Belize, it Justice in El Salvador Today! Library, Chester Rd N19 5BX now seems likely that ENCA will run its March 19 – 26, 2020 proposed tour during July, or August or Nicaraguan food and drinks available. September of 2020. Saint Romero: Solidarity and the There will be a report on the Institute Struggle for Social Justice in El Salvador of Latin American Agroecology, where The tour group will spend between 14 today, Programme will include: students learn about confronting and 21 days in the country, making a • Romero Vigil and processions climate change and achieving food range of visits to developmental, Saturday, March 22 and March 24 sovereignty. Free entry. environmental and community projects • Visit Romero’s home and the and sites of concern and relevance to the Organised by Nicaragua Solidarity issues of environment and development. chapel where he gave his life and Cathedral and tomb of Saint Campaign The precise dates and duration are currently uncertain but will be fixed at Romero the next ENCA meeting on 29th March • Visit women imprisoned for still 2020. By that time a full programme of births and obstetric emergencies, ENCA members take part in visits and meetings will also be accused of abortion, and women Global Climate Strike announced. who have been released due to organisation and solidarity. actions. It is intended that the travel • Visit Romero and Paso Puente disadvantages of such a tour will be offset Communities and learn of their On 20th Sept. 2019 ENCA member by: struggle for social inclusion after Stephanie Williamson joined over 120 • Solidarity benefits between host living years in squalor conditions – cyclists riding from Tower Bridge to communities / organisations and no water, plumbing, shacks made Parliament Square to support the ENCA. of plastic, tin and old bed springs, student strikers’ calls for immediate • Financial contributions to host rampant illiteracy, discrimination and far-reaching government action to groups. by authorities, and injustice. Learn address the climate emergency. • Work (such as plastic-picks and of the difference solidarity and beach clean-ups or specific work working as partners with mutual contributions requested by our host respect can make. New Chair and Treasurer groups) will be undertaken. • Visit women empowered through • Contributions will be made to CIS small business programme Following the ENCA meeting in October specific Belizean tree nurseries or /formerly SEW 2019 we have appointed a new Chair reforestation schemes. • Analysis: the roots of violence and and new treasurer. We would like to • A group contribution to a specific migration; the struggle for water as thank Nick and Janet for their global carbon offset scheme. a human right, impact and dedication and hard work as they step strategies of the new government down, and welcome Doug and Esma It is intended that tour participants will of Nayib Bukele in El Salvador. into their new roles. make their own way to Belize for the start date and also make their own return Applications due by: online or mailed Chair: Doug Specht. Doug is a senior travel arrangements. A payment to ENCA attached due by January 19 lecturer at the University of will cover the in-country costs of [email protected]. Westminster and has been an ENCA th accommodation, most meals, travel Payment due by: February 19 . member for 13 years. within the country and entry fees where http://www.cis- required. elsalvador.org/index.php/en/payment Treasurer: Esma Helvacioglu. Esma

s (menu-delegation fee) works in safeguarding and child We should be grateful if persons protection for charities and has been a interested in participating in the tour member of ENCA for 5 years. could express that interest to Martin Mowforth on [email protected]

Meeting Dates 2020 March 29th | June 21st | October 18th enca.org.uk ENCA meetings are held at the NSC’s office at the Durham Road Centre, London, N7 7DT. Meetings are held on Sundays from 12:30 pm to 5 pm and we start with lunch which is made up of whatever @ENCA_News people attending choose to bring to share.

ENCA Newsletter 76 | Page 12 The Back Page

ENCA Newsletter 76 | Page 12