DECLARATION
BEFORE THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE EXTRACTIVE MODEL IN THE CENTRAL AMERICAN REGION:
As organizations who work in defense of life and the integrity of the central American territory, we have gathered in a Regional Meeting called “Experiences and Perspectives from Social Struggles Facing Mineral Mining Exploitation”, held in Managua, Nicaragua and appealing to national and international public opinion:
We declare:
That the extractive industries of transnational capital, complicit with governments and the international financial system, are currently in a process of invasive and destructive expansion in our region, utilizing manipulative and coercive strategies including the eviction of residents from their lands, the displacement of populations, negative environmental effects, national and international social conflicts, provoking the tearing of the social fabric, the loss of identity and the violation of fundamental human rights, principally the right to water, and the free self-determination of communities.
Multinational corporations dedicated to the extraction of natural non-renewable resources are advancing and imposing their model of development through the use of lies, threats, as well as the “purchase of consciousness” and political will.
The rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples are being systematically violated by the fact that internal laws and international conventions, such as the Convention 169 of the OIT (International Labour Organization) and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, have been rendered worthless.
The Central American region is an environmentally vulnerable region, with a high population population density that is growing. Extractive activities are contributing to the acceleration of loss of natural resources that are essential for life.
Central America is a region that aspires to peace. It is a region with environmental, cultural, and, social wealth, as well as ample opportunities for sustainable development, independent of the extractive industries that threaten the life of the Central American population.
For these reasons we demand:
From the Governments:
a) To create and implement development policies that favour the needs of the citizens, with respect for fundamental economic, social and human rights – above all, the right to life, to a healthy environment, and to water.
b) To respect for the decisions of peoples and communities that have declared, via community consultation and other mechanisms of democratic popular expression (traditional and non-traditional), their opposition to the extractive industry in Central America.
c) To implement processes of integration for the actualization of the agreements and conventions designed to preserve our natural resources and avoid social-environmental conflicts
d) To guarantee the physical safety of those who openly and peacefully protest in defense of life and our natural resources.
e) To objectively value and comply with the Convention 169 of the ILO and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
We are calling on the general population, civil society organizations, churches, social movements, and the international community to unite and join in the work of defending life and the search for economic alternatives that can sustain us without destroying human and environmental wealth in our region.
“CENTRAL AMERICA IS NOT FOR SOLD, IT IS LOVED AND DEFENDED”
No to the extractive industry in Central America.
MANAGUA, NICARAGUA December 5 2013
El Salvador: International Allies Against Mining in El Salvador
Honduras: National Netowrk of Communities Affected by Mining, Siria Valley Environmental Committee, National Coalition of Environmental Networks in Honduras.
Nicaragua: The ‘Save Santo Domingo Movement’ Strategic Group of Matagalpa, Catholic Church of Rancho Grande – Matagalpa, Associaltion of Municipal Development – Camoapa, Communities of Santa Pancha and Mina El Limón
Manifestamos:
Que las industrias extractivas de capital transnacional en complicidad con los gobiernos y el sistema financiero internacional, están en un proceso de expansión destructivo e invasor de nuestra región utilizando estrategias coercitivas y manipuladoras, el cual provoca el despojo de tierras, desplazamiento de poblaciones, impactos negativos al medio ambiente, conflictos socio ambientales nacionales e internacionales, provocando el rompimiento del tejido social, la perdida de la identidad y la violación a los derechos humanos fundamentales, principalmente el derecho al agua y la libre determinación de los pueblos.
Que corporaciones multinacionales dedicadas a la extracción de recursos naturales no renovables avanzan e imponen su modelo de desarrollo mediante mentiras, amenazas, compra de conciencias y voluntad política.
Los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y tribales están siendo sistemáticamente violados al no hacer valer las leyes internas y los convenios internacionales, como el Convenio 169 de la OIT, y la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas Sobre los Derechos de Los Pueblos Indígenas.
A los Gobiernos:
a) Crear e implementar políticas de desarrollo que favorezcan a las necesidades de sus ciudadanos y ciudadanas, bajo un marco de respeto de los derechos humanos fundamentales, económicos y sociales sobre todo el derecho a la vida, a un ambiente saludable y al agua.
b) El respeto a las decisiones de los pueblos y comunidades que se han pronunciado por medio de consultas comunitarias, y otros mecanismos de expresión democrática popular, tradicionales y no tradicionales en contra de la industria extractiva en Centroamérica.
c) Implementar procesos de integración donde se promuevan y cumplan los tratados y convenios de protección de nuestros bienes naturales compartidos para evitar la generación de conflictos socio- ambientales.
d) Garantizar la integridad física de quienes se manifiesten abierta y pacíficamente en defensa de la vida y de nuestros bienes naturales.
“CENTROAMERICA NO SE VENDE, SE AMA Y SE DEFIENDE”
No a la industria extractiva en Centroamérica MANAGUA, NICARAGUA 5 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2013
El Salvador: International Allies Against Mining in El Salvador
Honduras: Red Nacional de Comunidades afectadas por la Minería en Honduras Comité Valle de Siria Coalición Nacional de Redes Ambientales de Honduras
Nicaragua: Movimiento Salvemos Santo Domingo Grupo Estratégico de Matagalpa Iglesia Católica de Rancho Grande – Matagalpa Asociación de Desarrollo Municipal – Camoapa Comunidades de Santa Pancha y Mina El Limón – León