Peru: Mine protestors case dropped

A group of protestors, arrested and accused of "terrorism" after campaigning for the rights of local people to have a say over a planned mine, have finally been released

The case against Javier Jahncke, from our partner the Muqui network, and 34 other activists has been dropped and all charges dismissed in a major victory for the right to freedom of speech.

The group had organised a "non-binding referendum" to give local people the opportunity to say whether or not they supported the building of the Rio Blanco copper mine.

The overwhelming majority rejected the proposed mine under the slogan "Yes to water, no to the mine", concerned that the mine would contaminate water supplies and destroy the area’s rich biodiversity.

Environmental threat

Charges of terrorism, violence and criminal damage were brought against Javier Jahncke by the Civil Association Unity Front of the Peasant Community of Segunda y Cajas.

However, although the case has been dropped, Peru's government has branded those who oppose mining as "criminals". Speaking out against mining continues to be a difficult and dangerous activity.

Our partner the Peru Support Group took up the case and launched an investigation into potential impacts on local communities and the environment. Its report concluded the communities had not legally given their permission for mine development, and that mine expansion was "likely to lead to" contamination of water supplies and other environmental damage.

Gaby Drinkwater, co-ordinator of the Peru Support Group says: "Freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Peruvian constitution. People in Peru should be free to speak out against mining projects without fear of reprisal.

"Communities should have the right to give or withhold their consent to mining projects. They should also have access to information and an official voice in the monitoring and preparation of social and environmental impact assessments.”

Peru is heavily dependent on mining, which made up 59% of its exports in 2007 - it is the world’s second largest producer of silver, and a major producer of gold, zinc and copper.

But mining creates few jobs and the huge revenues generated by mining rarely reach the poor. There are major questions about how effectively and transparently money from mining has been distributed.

Inevitably, this led to conflict between local communities and mining companies or the government. The Ombudsman in Peru, whose role is to defend people’s rights, has reported on at least 70 conflicts specifically related to mining.

Gaby Drinkwater concludes:"Mining could play a vital role in the fight against poverty and in providing resources for development in Peru.

"However, the rise and escalation of social tensions caused by mining projects, of which Rio Blanco is only one case, is a cause for concern."

Sonya Maldar, CAFOD’s policy analyst, adds: “These conflicts can be resolved by ensuring communities have the right to say yes or no to mining. Without this, mining will continue to be a cause of unrest in Peru as it is in many developing countries.

“Our Unearth Justice campaign supports communities, through organisations like the Muqui network and the Peru Support Group, in their fight for transparency and information.”

Earlier this year, CAFOD and the Peru Support Group made a joint submission to a UK parliamentary enquiry into the links between business and human rights abuses, highlighting accusations of torture following protests against the Río Blanco project in 2005.

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