Xstrata mine protests: CAFOD demands release of Peruvian partners held by police

Two CAFOD partners who were detained by police whilst investigating human rights abuses near Anglo-Swiss mining company Xstrata’s new Tintaya site in Peru have been released along with six others. Their arrest on unsubstantiated charges came following complaints of intimidation by local security forces.

Jaime César Borda, environmental coordinator at our partner in Peru

Jaime César Borda and Romualdo Tito Pinto, who work for our partner the Vicariate of Solidarity of Sicuani, were first held in a police station on Xstrata property for two days with 20 other prisoners before being transferred to a prison in the city of Cusco.

Sergio Huamani, a representative of the United Front for the Defence of the Interests of Espinar, was also beaten at the scene of the arrests. Only last month, Sergio was invited to London by CAFOD to meet with representatives from Xstrata, who promised to look into the group’s concerns.

Mayor of Espinar arrested

In a worrying turn of events on Wednesday 31 May, Peruvian police arrested Espinar's Mayor Oscar Mollohuanca, who had been leading the protests against Xstrata. According to a report by Reuters news agency, dozens of riot police stormed the municipal building in Espinar to arrest the mayor.

We welcome the release of our partner staff at the Vicariate and all those who had been held in relation to the protests at the Xstrata mine site. They are now getting the medical care they need and our thoughts are with them and their families as they start to recover from this terrible experience.

But we condemn the abuse and intimidation of our partners. The unsubstantiated charges against Jaime and Romualdo must be dropped and a thorough investigation into the beatings they and Sergio received must be carried out by the authorities. The Vicariate of Sicuani has worked for many years on behalf of the rights of communities in this area of Peru and is a trusted and long-standing CAFOD partner.

Yesterday's storming of the mayor's office in Espinar is of great concern and we will work with the Church and our partners to ensure the mayor's safety whilst in custody and his speedy release. We recognise that both sides have committed violence and call on all parties to act peacefully at all times. In particular, the state of emergency declared by the Prime Minister must not be used by the authorities as an excuse to silence those who speak out on behalf of the welfare of communities.

Last week protesters in Espinar began a series of demonstrations calling for more dialogue between Xstrata and local communities with a protest camp outside the company’s Tintaya mine site. Police were sent in to protect the mine site and control the demonstrations. Clashes resulted in police opening fire on protestors with two people being killed. The protests at the Xstrata mine led the Peruvian government to declare a 30-day state of emergency from Tuesday 29 May.

The Catholic Church, through the Vicariate of Sicuani, has been playing a mediation role in the conflict, appealing for the respect of human rights to be observed. Vicariate lawyers, who visited the detainees at the mine site, report that they had their shoes removed and were beaten on their heels, as well as receiving verbal abuse, being kept in freezing conditions and deprived of sleep. 

Romualdo Tito Pinto, the organisation's driver

“We are saddened at the news of the death and the injuries produced as a result of the confrontation between the National Police and the civilian population," said Monsignor Miguel La Fay Bardi, Bishop of the Prelature of Sicuani. "The current conflict highlights the confrontation of interests between the mining company and the Espinar people. We note that the basis for sincere dialogue between the two parties has not been achieved. It is necessary that both groups sit down and assess, with the active participation of the State, the impact of mining on the local and national economy, without pushing aside people's legitimate hopes for sustainable development based on a respect for human rights, so that a solution that satisfies everyone is reached."

As well as the release of Mayor Oscar Mollohuanca and an investigation into the alleged assault on the detainees, CAFOD is making three additional demands:

• All acts of violence against protesters must be investigated and public security forces who have committed acts of violence must be brought to justice;
• Xstrata must urgently re-engage in an open, honest and constructive dialogue with the Espinar community leaders, following their meeting with them in London on 26th April. A peaceful resolution to the conflict is sought with the opening of a meaningful dialogue, facilitated through external and independent mediation; and
• The delegation of the European Union and the European embassies in Peru should investigate the harassment and unlawful detention of the Vicariate staff and community leaders of Espinar who are seeking to defend people’s human rights, in accordance with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.