ACTION ALERT – FEBRUARY 2005
GOOD SHEPHERD VOICES FOR JUSTICE
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Feb 03, 2005 - The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is deeply
concerned about on-going violence in Guatemala. Current issues revolve around a
new gold mine in San Marcos, which has received much resistance from the area’s
inhabitants, and a failed assassination plot against San Marcos’s bishop
Monsignor Álvaro Ramazzini, a strong human rights advocate.
There has
been violence by authorities against protesters participating in an attempt to
block movement of equipment headed toward a new mining site in San Marcos. The mine, owned by Glamis Gold,
was secured by the company without the informed consent of the indigenous
people who live on the surrounding land. For weeks, local communities resisted
the creation of the mine by blocking transport of the equipment until
Guatemalan President Óscar Berger authorized use of security forces to impede
protestors and protect Glamis Gold’s investment.
After the
clash between local individuals and Guatemalan authorities, President Berger
indirectly blamed the bishop of San Marcos, Monsignor Álvaro Ramazzini, for
the death and injuries by claiming that Ramazzini should have calmed the
protesters. Since that time, the Guatemalan Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office has
released evidence of a plan to assassinate the bishop. The failed plan was
reported by a former State intelligence officer and confirmed by government
officials. While it is unclear if the assassination plan is connected to the
president’s statements, it is true that Monsignor Ramazzini has been vocal in
his opposition to the creation of the mine in San Marcos.
Many people
in the community are concerned about the potential social and environmental
effects of the mine. Glamis Gold has already demonstrated problems dealing with
environmental issues and community concerns. In Honduras, its mine has caused problems with
relocation of local farmers and water contamination. A Glamis mine in Nevada is also creating concerns because
it has released contaminants that are now moving toward drinking water
supplies. The mine in San Marcos will use cyanide to leach gold from
other metals; this process may contaminate the water supply.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
Monsignor
Álvaro Ramazzini is a champion of the poor and marginalized in Guatemala. He worked closely with Bishop Juan Gerardi (pictured at right) on
the Recovery of Historical Memory Project (REMHI) in San Marcos, which investigated human rights
abuses during the civil war. The report found state agents responsible for
nearly 90 percent of human rights abuses during Guatemala’s 36-year armed conflict. After
releasing the report in 1998, Bishop Gerardi was murdered by military
personnel. (Click for the Guatemalan
Archdiocesan’s Human Rights Office, in Spanish.) (If link does not work,
copy and paste http://www.odhag.org.gt/)
ACTION:
eMail or
postal mail appeals to the Guatemalan authorities expressing concern for the
life of Monsignor Ramazzini and requesting an investigation of the
assassination plan. Additionally, express concern for the Glamis gold mine in San Marcos and request that continued
construction of the mine is halted until the local indigenous population is
consulted. (A letter to Guatemala from the U.S. costs 80 cents.)
Presidente de la República de
Guatemala Licenciado Oscar Berger
Perdomo
Casa Presidencial, 6 a. Avenida,
4-18 zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Salutation:
Excelentísimo Sr. Presidente/Dear President
eMail: mpresidente@scspr.gob.gt
Minister of the Interior Carlos Vielmann
Ministro
de Gobernación
6a.Avenida
4-64, zona 4, nivel 3
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: 011502
362 0237
Salutation:
Senor Ministro/ Dear Minister
Attorney General Juan Luís Florido
Fiscal
General
Fiscalía
General del Ministerio Público
8a. Avenida 10-67, Zona 1
Ciudad de Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Fax: 011
502 251 2218
Salutation:
Estimado Fiscal General/Dear Sir
For more
information, visit the website of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission. http://www.ghrc-usa.org/