Imbabura Gov' NO TO MINING
Thursday, September 28, 2006
One More Nail In Ascendant's Coffin: 28 Septembre 2006 Provincial Government Says NO to Mining 'The [Imbabura] Provincial Government yeterday resolved to ask the Ministry of Energy and Mines to suspend exploration of the mining project granted by the State to the Canadian mining company, 'Ascendant Copper', in the Junin community'. These are the title and leading paragraph to a story on today's La Hora newspaper reporting on the latest rejection to Ascendant´s plan to develop its Junin mining poject. We always knew it was a well nailed coffin that enclosed Ascendant's corpse here in Intag, but we also felt there was room for more nails to secure the lid in case the company wanted to come back from the dead. Today, that nail came in the way of a clear NO TO THE JUNIN MINING PROJECT pronunciation from the government of Imbabura Province, where the Junin mining project is situated. The anti-mining stance coming from the provincial government makes the rejection by all local governments having jurisdiction over the Junin mining project unanimous. It comes at time when the opposition is not only growing, but quickly spreading to other sectors of Imbabura's civil society, most notably indigenous groups, and university students. Part of the growing rejection to Ascendant Copper and the subsequent support for the community's resistance to the mining project could be attributed to the latest confrontations and violence that took place in the Junin area during September 12-16, in which two company employees were held by community members, and two campesinos illegally arrested and jailed. In addition, the company's failed intent to forcibly gain entry into the Junin community on the 13th of September, and the violent confrontation it provoked is widely felt to be the company's fault. In this respect, the Province's highest elected representative had this to say: "We are forced to protect the interests of the people. The conflicts that took place in the past few months in the Intag region, due to the development of the project, cannot be ignored by the Provincial Government [Corporation], and on the contrary, we feel it is timely to emit our criteria to safeguard the interests of the majority of the community", said Gustavo Pareja, Prefect [of Imbabura]. An important contributing factor that worked to tip the balance against the company in Imbabura province was the gross use of the courts by the company to try and silence the opposition, by levelling false charges against dozens men and women small-farmers from the Junin and Cerro Pelado area. Not only are people being accused of kidnapping, but of robbery, attempted homicide; assault; illicit association (whatever that is!). Ascendant Copper Corporation, and/or its employees, have currently filed four criminal lawsuits against 25 campesinos and campesinas (most of these persons, according to the information on Ascendant's Environmental Impact Study, make less than $ 200 a month. By comparison, Gary Davis, Ascendant's President and CEO, makes approximately 90 times this amount) To better illustrate the perverse use of the judicial system by the company or its employees: seven Ascendant Corporation employees charged two Ministry of the Environment employees, who themselves were savagely attacked while passing by a pro-mining crowd in Chalguayacu Alto, of assaulting them (at this crowd there were many company employees). Yes, the seven Ascendant employees are saying that they were assaulted by the two Ministry of Environment employees. We are certain the lawsuit was presented to dissuade the government employees from themselves filing charges against the aggressors or the company. In another of the lawsuits, the company charged activists who were miles away when the cirmes were suppossedly committed; seemingly as part of a pre-arranged plan to try to silence the most anti-mining leaders. DECOIN Site of Today's Newspaper article: http://www.lahora.com.ec/frontEnd/main.php?idSeccion=480921
libres!! They are FREE!! *
Thursday, September 21, 2006
22 September (ESPAÑOL ABAJO) Just a quick note to let you all know that, after 8 days of illegal arrest, our two colleagues were set free yesterday by the judge without any bail, and only with light conditions. It was what we expected from a just judge. The two are now back in Intag with their families, and more determined than ever to stop Ascendant. The lawsuit against these two innocent campesinos continues, however, and during the next 90 days both sides have to present evidence to the District Attorney, who will then decide on the case before passing it to a criminal court if he decides there’s enough proof of culpability. The judge pretty much rules on the evidence presented to him by the District Attorney, but appeals are standard and could go all the way to the Supreme Court, though I personally believe the case will be thrown out at the DA level. One of our lawyers told me yesterday that there is no bail for kidnapping, which signals that the judge doubted the story he was given by company employees. And,,, yes, these are the same two whom Davis labelled kidnappers on Ascendant's Sept 18th news release and who he said were in jail awaiting sentencing. I talked to some first-class lawyers here and they are convinced there's grounds for a libel suit in the US for this. Keep tuned. Soon we’ll have some video images of the events of the past week in Junin And, the resistance goes on. Later, some details on the agressive anti/decoin campaign unleashed by Ascendant DECOIN ¡LIBRES! 22 Septiembre En la mañana del 21,los dos campesinos injustamente encarcelados desde el 13 de septiembre fueron puestos en libertad, sin fianza, y con solo unas leves condiciones. En estos momentos se encuentran en Intag con sus familiares, y más decididos que nunca de frenar a Ascendant. Uno de nuestros abogados señaló que en Ecuador no existe fianza para secuestro, lo que señala que el juez duda la versión de los empleados de la empresa. Estos dos campesinos, por si acaso, son los mismitos que el presidente de la empresa de Ascendant acusó de ser secuestradores, en el comunicado de prensa de la empresa del 18 de septiembre, y que estaban encarcelados esperando sentencia. El juicio continua, sin embargo, y durante los próximos 90 días ambas partes presentará pruebas a la Fiscal, quien determinará si el caso merece ir a la corte, en caso que se determine que existen suficientes pruebas de culpabilidad. El juez puede o bien sentenciar o rechazar el caso, pero de todas maneras apelaciones son el orden del día y puede llegar hasta la corte suprema, aunque personalmente pienso que la Fiscalía rechazará el juicio. Sigan chequeando nuestra página- próximamente tendremos un video de los eventos en Junin DECOIN
UPDATE18 Septiembre- Actualizaciones --Liberan Empleados/ Employees to be set free
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Ascendant's Latest Batch of Lies and, DAYS OF RAGE IN INTAG Sept 18 In today's Ascendant ridiculous news release titled: "Eco-Terrorism Activity Disrupts but Will Not Halt Ascendant Copper Corporation’s Socially Responsible Efforts in the Intag Region" Mr. Davis makes the outrageous claim that "Thus far two of the kidnappers have been arrested, arraigned and in prison awaiting sentencing" First of all,the two jailed small-farmers are NOT kidnappers, are not guilty until proven so in a court of law, and have not even been tried, and much less are they waiting sentencing. They are currently only suspects, have only been charged with the supposed crime, to which they have not even had to defend themselves. In fact, the president of the Parish Government of García Moreno- where most of the Junin mining project is situated, today wrote a letter to the judge overseeing the arraignment processes vouching for the good character of the two who sit unjustly in jail. Such an important public figure, Mr. Davis, would never write such a document if he or she thought the persons were kidnappers. I believe Mr Davis and Ascendant just won themselves a major lawsuit. Second, Ascendant's employees were released NOT by the pressure of any imaginary force of 300 community representative and the national government, but in order to defuse the tense and violent situation in the area, and to pressure the government to live up to the May 20th Intag Assembly where local governments, community representatives and NGO's asked Ascendant to leave Intag, among other petitions. Furthermore Mr. Davis falsely implies that this latest collective measure was taken by 30 people belonging to an radical organization. In fact, by the time the event concluded on Saturday the 16th where company employees were released, 280 men, women and children from all over Intag were still present in Junin to witness the public ceremony, in which Cotacachi County government officials, as well as Intag Parish Government presidents, and other public figures were present. Many people had returned to their homes, so the total of men, women and children present during the tense stand-off supporting the Junin community in their measures to protect their lands was closer to 400. None of them were paid, in contrast to the reliable sources telling us that the few dozens of pro-mining persons who were somehow mysteriously trucked to Chalguayacu Alto, each one received $ 15 a day! Mr. Davis would want his readers to believe that by DECOIN calling the mentioned public event a "ceremony", it is enough to make us an extremist organization. The only extremism I see is Ascendant's intent on labeling us extremists and demonizing us. In Ascendant's latets news release Mr. Davis fails to address a few really important things, including that one of Ascendant's employees was armed with a pistol, and that the community members tried to apprehend him but he was able to escape. That's when the sixty women and men small farmers from the Barcelona area legally apprehended the remaining employees, in order to investigate the weapons issue. At finding out that two of their colleagues were arrested in an Ascendant vehicle in the early morning, the by now close to 150 community members took the decision to hold the employees. CEDHU, the prestigious Ecuadorian Ecumenical Human Rights organization, who are in touch with human rights representatives who were in Junin for most of this pasts week, coincides with this version of events, and has issued damming condemnation on Ascendant's past and present behavior (SEE BELOW FOR A MORE COMPLETE UPDATE) Very shortly, Ascendant's stockholders will be able to read independent human rights reports about Ascendant's real behavior in the area, backed up by indisputable evidence, that will show the real recounting of events- not make-believe versions. In fact, the news release could be a feeble attempt to prepare the company's stockholders for some very, very bad news, related to a Constitutional Injuction presented by the president of the Junin community meant to stop the government from approving a flawed Environmental Impact Statement; or the official, and well documented, opposition that DECOIN filed with the Ministry of Energy and Mines with the same aim. DECOIN PS. I suggest whoever wrote the news release invest some of his or her Ascendant stock money in a good dictionary or thesaurus and look up all the meanings of "ceremony".... Address for Ascendant's latest: http://www.ascendantcopper.com/pdf/06-11%20Hostage%20Taking1.pdf http://www.ascendantcopper.com/pdf/06-11%20Hostage%20Taking%20(3).pdf (español) DAYS OF RAGE IN INTAG (demen un chancecito para traducir...) Raining Lawsuits: Ascendant's last desperate (and ludicrous) lawsuits Sept 18 Today we learned that Ascendant charged approximately 17 men and women from the Junin area for a long list of supposed crimes, including aggravated assault, robbery, illicit association(!), and attempted homicide and kidnapping! All this as a result of the violent confrontation that, according to eyewitnesses, was provoked when company officials led a number of the pro-mining crowd to try and occupy a piece of land in Junin the company says they own. As in the case of the supposed kidnapping the day before, some of the accused where miles away from the scene of the supposed crimes. One of the persons charged was a Minister of the Environment employee, who happened to be travelling through Chalguayacu Alto, when he was viciously assaulted by the pro-mining crowd, and in plain sight of the police and company personnel, some of whom are suspected of having taken place in the unprovoked attack. This new spate of lawsuits has enraged an already enraged people, and it will undoubtedly blow back on Ascendant big time. Representatives from Human Rights organizations have been in the Junin area since the day after the day the communities arrested company personnel when one of them was caught carrying a weapon within communal lands. In addition they have issued several reports and news bulletins strongly condemning Ascendant's actions in Intag, and the provocation they so clearly caused. Here's a part of what CEDHU, the prestigious Commision Ecumenica de Derechos Humanos says in a report issued on the 13th of September: "The entry of company's personnel constitutes a intentional provocation, and violation of the Ecuador's Political Constitution" ".....We are especially indignant at the fact that our public forces (police) instead of defending the people's legitimate civil rights are at the disposal of the transnational mining companies". An updated report from another Human Rights organization is scheduled for released shortly. As for our incarcerated colleagues.. This is the sixth day that they are in the very dangerous and overcrowded Ibarra jail, surrounded by extremely violent individuals. They have already been the victims of several violent assaults by other inmates, and they fear for their lives. Along with other organizations and the support of local government officials, we are exhausting all avenues to get them out as soon as possible. In the case of one of the persons who's from one of the poorest families in the Barcelona area, he was in the town of Apuela when the two employees were detained by community members in Junin; a distance of about 30 kilometers. DECOIN SIGUEN ACTUALIZACIONES / SEE BELOW FOR MORE UPDATES Español abajo incluye reporte del 16 de Septiembre 17 September 2006 More news from yesterday’s public ceremony in Junin. Two hundred and eighty persons from all over Intag witness the event, together with representatives from Human Rights organizations, and local and regional authorities, including Parish government presidents the Vice Mayor of Cotacachi, County Commissioners, Mrs Luz Marina Vega (Mayor Tituana's wife), and high police officials. In the brief ceremony, the Vice Mayor officially turned over the employees to the police representatives, who were in good health. Today, an official representative of the Ombudsman is expected in Junin to investigate the various violations and illegalities against the inhabitants of the area. After the brief ceremony, the Parish governments, together with the communities, agreed to put into place a Community Protection Plan to guaranteed the safety of the communities affected by the presence of Ascendant Copper Corportaion, which includes permanent watchfulness by members of the different communities and Parish governments from all over Intag. A special commission was also formed to follow up on the illegal arrest and detention of two Intag residents accused of taking part in the arrest by the communities of Ascendant’s employees on the 12th of September. They were officially charged by the District Attorney, and are now in the Ibarra jail, because the Mayor of that city refused to hear their plea for Habeas Corpus As has been said before in different occasions, the people present in Junin yesterday reiterated that the resístanse to this project continúes, and will continue until the company leaves Intag, and the government respects the decisions of the people of Intag and its local governments. Keep checking this site, because soon we’ll be sharing an official communiqué from the affected communities , and showing images of this new historic chapter in the resistance that dates from 1997. ____________________________________________ 17 Septiembre 2006 Masivo apoyo a las comunidades afectadas. Errata: Queremos pedir disculpas por haber informado esta mañana que había entrado a Junin la ex diputada Nina Pacari al evento del 16. Nos enteramos que fue la hermana de Nina y esposa del Alcalde Auki Tituaña, la Doctora Luz Marina Vega- el boletín ya se encuentra corregido) Tenemos más información sobre la ceremonia realizada el día de ayer en Junín donde se puso en libertad a los dos empleados de la empresa retenidos por las comunidades. Doscientos ochenta personas de toda la zona de Intag presenciaron el evento, además de representantes organizaciones de derechos humanos, autoridades locales y regionales, incluyendo a los y las Presidentes de las Juntas Parroquiales de Intag, la Alcaldesa de Cotacachi, concejales, la Dra. Luz Marina Vega, esposa del Alcalde Auki Tituaña, presidente de la Asamblea de Uninada Cantonal, y altos representantes de la policía. En el evento, la Alcaldesa entregó a los retenidos al representante de la policía en buen estado de salud. Hoy se espera la presencia de un comisionado de la Defensoría del Pueblo para aceptar denuncias de violaciones e ilegalidades cometidas durante estos últimos días en contra de los moradores del sector. Después de la breve ceremonia, las Juntas Parroquiales y comunidades se comprometieron a ejecutar un Plan de Seguridad Comunitaria para proteger las comunidades afectadas por la presencia de la empresa minera Ascendant Copper, el cual incluye una vigilancia permanente por parte de moradores de diferentes comunidades y Parroquias de toda la zona de Intag. Por otro parte, se acordó crear una comisión especial para darle seguimiento al encarcelamiento injusto de dos moradores acusados de ser responsable de la retención de los empleados de la empresa. Los dos se encuentran en la cárcel de Ibarra, porque el Alcalde de esa ciudad, rehusó atender su petición de Habeas Corpus. Como se ha dicho en anteriores ocasiones, ayer los representantes de las comunidades la resistencia continúa y continuará hasta que la empresa abandone la zona y el gobierno respete las resoluciones del pueblo de Intag y sus gobiernos locales. Sigan chequeando nuestro sitio, porque próximamente estaremos difundiendo una comunicación oficial de parte de las comunidades directamente afectadas, y mostrando imágenes de este histórico capítulo en la resistencia que data del 1997. DECOIN Saturday 16 September (Español abajo) We heard late last night (15 sept) that the hundreds of men and women from dozens of Intag's communities gathered in Junin since last Wednesday supporting the latest community's measures against the Ascendant Copper Corporation, decided to free the two Ascendant employees who were being held by the community. In a public ceremony scheduled for this afternoon in Junin and to which national and local authorities have been invited, the two detainees will be freed. The participants want to make sure the world understands that the release is a good-will gesture meant, in part, to prevent more violence, and that they remain firmly against mining and will continue to take whatever measures are necessary to protect their lands from this, and any other mining company. The community participants are insisting that the following demands are met: 1. The government and Ascendant accept and execute the decisions taken in Intag's Regional Assembly on May 20th of this year, which includes that Ascendant leave Intag 2. The government do all it can to speed up the release of the two Intag residents arrested without an warrant, and which were taken in Ascendant's vehicle to the police station in Ibarra, 3. That no lawsuits are presented against any Intag residents for measures taken by community members to protect their lands, between Tuesday and Saturday; 12-16 of September 2006. 4.That INDA, the National Agricultural Development Institute, annul the land adjudications handed out since May of 2004 within and adjacent to the mining concessions which don't have the approval of the Municipality and, Parish governments and community presidents. This is the date Ascendant Copper Corporation first came to Intag. Many of these land adjudications are illegal, and have affected Junin's community reserve, which the community has managed since 1997. All lands adjudicated by INDA are meant by law to be used strictly for agricultural purposes, and some of these are now in the hands of Ascendant Copper Corporation. The communities wanted DECOIN to emphasize that this struggle continues, and that it will only stop once Ascendant Copper leaves the Intag area. This is a position that is supported by all of Intag's legitimate organizations, most of its communities, its Parish Governments and the Cotacachi County government. We ask that all of you reafirm your support for the communities, and help pressure government officials to respect the decisions taken by local communities and governments, and force Ascendant to leave before the next cycle of violence claims lives and disrupts even more this beautiful land and its wonderful, and valiant people. It could not be more clear that the ongoing conflict and violence is a result of the presence of Ascendant Copper Corporation in Intag. Until it leaves, we see no end in sight to this conflictive situation. In the next few days, DECOIN will be reporting on some of the tactics used by the so-called "pro-mining forces" to provoke violence reactions, and the many irregularities and illegalities committed by the police and the judicial system. We'll also be sharing reports from Human Rights organizations that were present during the events. Decoin 16 de Septiembre, Anoche los cientos de hombres y mujeres de diferentes comunidades de la zona de Intag reunidos en Junín, tomaron la decisión de dejar en libertad a los empleados de la empresa Ascendant Copper Corporation, que han estado en manos de la comunidad desde el día martes 12 del presente, por invadir áreas comunales. Los empleados serán puesto en libertad durante un acto público a realizarse hoy, sábado 16 donde varias autoridades locales, regionales y nacionales han sido invitadas, para lograr mayor respaldo a las justas demandas que las comunidades exigen del gobierno. Los asambleístas quisieron dejar en claro que no desistirán de tomar las medidas que sean necesarias para defender sus comunidades y tierras de la plaga que es la actividad minera, y exiguen se cumpla con las siguientes demandas: --Respeto a las resoluciones tomadas en la Asamblea Zonal de Intag del 20 de Mayo en García Moreno --La empresa abandone la zona de Intag --Prohíba al Inda adjudicar tierras en áreas conflictivas dentro de las concesiones mineras de Ascendant (incluyendo en los alrededores de Junín, Cerro Pelado, Chalguayacu Alto y Bajo, Cerro Pelado Barcelona, y otras) y que se declare nulas las adjudicaciones entregadas en éstas áreas desde el ingreso a la zona de la Empresa minera Ascendant Copper Corporation (Mayo del 2004), y que no cuente con el visto bueno de autoridades Municipales, Parroquiales y comunidades --Moradores de la zona involucrados en la defensa de sus tierras y derechos no sean enjuiciados por actos cometidos entre el martes 12 y sábado 16 -- Se agilite la libertad de los dos moradores inteños injustamente detenidos el martes 13 en la Zona de Intag --La población de Intag reunida en Junín reitera que Intag está,Y SEGUIRÁ EN PIE DE LUCHA HASTA QUE LA EMPRESA SE LARGUE DE INTAG En los próximos días DECOIN estará informando sobre algunos de los detalles de las irregularidades e ilegalidades cometidas por los denominados "pro-mineros" la policía, y el sistema judiciaL. Además se comprobará quienes realmente estuvieron detrás del enfrentamiento violento entre los y las inteñas ocurrido el jueves 14. En fin, la resistencia continúa, y continuará hasta que Ascendant respete la decisión de la mayoría de la zona, sus gobiernos parroquiales, y SE LARGUE DE INTAG. A nuestros amigos, esperemos que con mayor fuerza apoyen a las comunidades y a su resistencia. DECOIN, 16 de Septiembre
FOTOS FROM THE 16TH
Friday, September 15, 2006
 Meeting that took place after Ascendant's employees left Junin, called to organize a permanent Community Security Plan  Arrival to Junin of Luz Marina Vega, wife of Mayor Auki Tituana, accompanied by Cotacachi's Vice Mayor, Patricia Espinosa  Making do in Junin, nearly 300 persons arrived from all over Intag to support Junin, and to witness the freeing of Ascendant's employees
ESCALADA DEL CONFLICTO MINERO EN INTAG
Thursday, September 14, 2006
ESCALADA DEL CONFLICTO MINERO EN INTAG 14 de Septiembre ESCALADA DEL CONFLICTO MINERO EN INTAG El 12 de septiembre, un grupo de seis personas que fueron identificadas por miembros de la comunidad de Junín como trabajadores de la empresa minera Ascendant Copper Corporation, fueron encontrados sin autorización dentro de la reserva de bosques de esta comunidad. Esta compañía minera ha sido avisada con frecuencia, de que su presencia no es deseada en las tierras comunitarias, y de que esto puede provocar conflictos. Los primeros reportes hablan de que debido a esta intrusión, se produjo una confrontación entre ambas partes, lo que hizo que los seis mencionados trabajadores huyeran hacia el bosque. Unos 70 habitantes de la comunidad persiguieron al grupo capturando a cuatro de ellos. Existen testimonios de que los trabajadores mineros estaban armados con una pistola y de que una campesina de la comunidad de Barcelona fue amenazada con el arma. Todos los implicados se dirigieron a la comunidad de Junín, donde dos de los cuatro capturados fueron invitados a abandonar inmediatamente la comunidad. Los dos restantes en ese momento son conocidos en la vecindad de Junín como empleados o contratistas de Ascendant Copper. La policía reaccionó inmediatamente a la situación y se desplazaron a diferentes puntos de la zona de Intag. Dichos desplazamientos se produjeron sorprendentemente en varios vehículos de la empresa Ascendant Copper Corporation. Uno de estos vehículos de la empresa arrestó a dos personas que se desplazaban en motocicleta a varias horas de distancia del escenario de la confrontación. La policía no dio ninguna razón para el arresto injustificado y los detenidos fueron trasladados en los mismos vehículos de la compañía hasta el centro de detención provisional en Ibarra.“Esta es una lucha desigual, de David contra Goliath. Nosotros somos campesinos, trabajadores honrados, mientras que la empresa tiene gran cantidad de plata para comprar voluntades”, comentaba un comunero. Otro decía que “Esta empresa es como un pulpo”, y que “sus tentáculos están por todas partes, también en otras zonas del país”. Desafortunadamente, durante la tarde de hoy, tuvo lugar una violenta confrontación entre un grupo pro-minero y un grupo comunitario, cuando los primeros intentaron entrar a la fuerza con sacos, tiendas y otros utensilios en terrenos que ellos consideran propiedad de la compañía. Los comuneros pudieron repeler la intrusión de los mineros. Varios testigos aseguran que la confrontación tuvo lugar ante los ojos de varios miembros de la policía, y que la presencia policial es en estos momentos grande en el área de Chalguayacu Alto. Existen también reportes de que dos empleados del Ministerio del Ambiente fueron asaltados por partidarios pro-mineros en la misma área de Chalguayacu Alto. Aparentemente, la multitud confundió a dichos empleados con la mayoría que rechaza la minería en Intag. Radio Intag reportó que estas personas fueron retenidas en Chalguayacu Alto en contra de su voluntad. Hacia el anochecer y como ya se ha mencionado, se encontraba aún un gran contingente policial en Chalguayacu Alto, así como docenas de personas residentes en Intag que apoyan a la minería. Por otra parte, miembros de diferentes comunidades están llegando a Junín para apoyar a la comunidad, y para mañana se está organizando una asamblea regional por parte de la recién creada Coordinadora Zonal, compuesta por los gobiernos parroquiales de Intag, organizaciones locales y comunidades, para encontrar una solución pacífica a este conflicto. “A mineros y antimineros nos unen lazos familiares, somos vecinos, a veces compadres. De algún modo hay que mantener la armonía”, se escuchaba comentar ayer tarde en la zona. Dos de las personas identificadas como empleados de la compañía se encuentran supuestamente todavía en el área de Junín, mientras que un grupo pro-minero está reunido en Chalguayacu Alto. Una delegación compuesta por tres presidentes de Juntas Parroquiales se dirigió esta tarde a Junín para tratar de actuar como mediadores y de prevenir actos de violencia. Otra consecuencia problemática de este conflicto, que ha sido reportada por observadores internacionales estacionados en el área de Junín, es la presencia de personal para-militar, que han sido vistos repetidamente en la zona y que han sido identificados como allegados a la empresa minera, lo que además de violar tratados internacionales y la legislación nacional, complica aún más la ya complicada situación de la zona de Intag. Según palabras recientes del propio Alcalde de Cotacachi, Econ. Auki Tituaña: “Intag reitera su posición digna y claramente desde hace diez años. Hay que cumplir con la Constitución y la Ley.” Comisión de Prensa DECOIN
Intag Marred by Violence
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Update 13 September Yesterday, September 12 a group of six persons identified as Ascendant Copper Corporation employees by Junin community members were found inside Junin's forest reserve without authorization. First reports tell of a confrontation between the two sides, and the six alleged employees fleeing to the forest. The call went out and up to 70 community members pursued the group, catching up with four of them. There are reports that one of the two that escaped was armed with a pistol, and threatened a campesina from the community of Barcelona. All involved went to the Community of Junin, where two of the four were ordered to leave the community. The two remaining at this moment are reportedly in the general vicinity of Junin and are believed to be employees of Ascendant Copper, or one of its contractors. Police immediately reacted to the situation, and were able to travel in several Ascendant Copper Corporation vehicles to different sites within Intag. One of those patrols arrested two colleagues who were travelling in a motorcycle far away from the scene of the confrontation. No reason was given by the police for the arrest. Unfortunately, this afternoon a violent confrontation took place between a pro-mining group and a community group when this first group tried to force their way into what they consider to be company property with bedding, tents and other utensils. The community group was able to repel the invading group, and there are reports of some minor injuries- mostly on the pro-mining side. Several eyewitnesses reported that the confrontation took place in front of a large group of police, and that the police presence is quite large in the Chalguayacu Alto area. There are also reports that two Ministry of the Environment employee was assaulted by pro-mining forces in the area of Chalguayacu Alto. Apparently the crowd identified the employees with the majority who reject mining in Intag. Radio Intag broadcasted that these employees were being held by the Chalguayacu Alto crowd against their will. As of tonight, there is a large police contingency in Chalguayacu Alto, as well as dozens of Intag residents in favor of mining. Community members are filtering into Junin to support the community, and tomorrow a regional assembly is being organized by the newly created Coordinadora Zonal, made up of Intag's local governments, organizations and communities, to find out the best way the rest of the Intag can best support the communities and find a peaceful solution to this latest conflict. Two of the four persons identified as company employees are still in the Junin area, just as pro-mining forces are gathering in Chalguayacu Alto. A delegation made up of three Parish government presidents went into Junin this afternoon to try to act as mediators and try to prevent more violence. However, at the same time we received reports, from reliable sources, that the government was considering sending in the equivalent of a SWAT team to try and rescue the two possible employees who, as far as DECOIN knows, are not being held against their will. If you want to send a fax to Ecuador's president asking him to find a peaceful solution to this very difficult and dangerous situation, please see below. DECOIN model letter- please personalize The president's fax is: 593 2 258 0714 Doctor Alfredo Palacios Presidente Constitucional República del Ecuador Palacio Presidencial Plaza de la Independencia Quito, Ecuador September 14 2006 SUBJECT: MINING IN INTAG Dear Mr. President, I am writing to express my concern of the threats that the Junín mining project poses to the people and environment in the Intag area of Cotacachi County, and of the recent troubling developments. We have received reports of a grave escalation of the conflicts brought about by, what we are told, was the presence of persons identified as workers of the Mining company in lands belonging to the community of Junin. We understand there has been a violent confrontation, and urge you to do all that is possible to find a peaceful solution to this latest crisis. There can be no legitimate reason for a mining company, who has repeatedly been told they were not wanted in the area, to be in community lands unless it was to provoke a violent reaction by the communities. We are also very concerned by reliable reports that tell of the police being transported in company vehicles to different areas within Intag, and that two Intag residents were arrested without warrant or probable cause, and transported in Ascendant Copper Corporation vehicles to the police station in Ibarra. Another troubling development reported by international obervers in the Junin area is over the presence of apparently para-military personel, who were of late seen in the area, and who were identified as working with, or supporting the mining companya factor that complicates an already complicated situation, and one that is likely in violation of international treaties and national legislation. I sincerely hope that your government is able to lauch a full-scale investigation to try to clear up these, and other troubling news recently coming out of the Intag area. I likewise urge you to analyze carefully the long-term implications of this project to the forests of the Toisan Range, for the local communities, county of Cotacachi, and the area’s natural resources, and in general, to your country. I also support a complete investigation of the numerous human-rights violations people from communities in the Intag area have complained about as a consequence of the presence of mining companies in their territory and which have been documented by CEDHU (Comisión Ecuménica de Derechos Humanos) Sincerely,
|
