The Honduran Congress is trying to push through a new mining law – a law which would further increase the vulnerability of women in Honduras. The proposed law will accelerate the licensing process, reduce environmental standards and privilege water use by mining companies. At the same time, it opens the door for foreign states to become title owners of mining concessions. It also promotes open-pit mining, which is particularly detrimental to the health of women and their communities due to high levels of water and land contamination. 

Mining Watch Canada and other environment groups are calling for the Honduran Congress to consult civil society and community organizations. They state that the law is damaging to the Honduran people and to the environment, since mining destroys forests and wetlands, and affects the quality of water.

Last month, Nobel Women’s Initiative delegation to Honduras met with women who have been impacted by the San Martin mine, a subsidiary of Canadian Goldcorp, in the Siria Valley. The women testified about the water contamination that has caused skin rashes and the death of livestock in their communities. Those women opposing mining operations have faced threats of violence, including sexual violence, from company security guards. Many Honduran women at the forefront of defending their land and rights are being criminalized for their actions.

On January 24^th, thousands of Honduran people came to Tegucigalpa to protest the law. The people of Honduras are asking for international solidarity in their demands to the government for civil society participation.

READ MORE:

Honduras civil society groups reject proposed mining law that puts corporate interests before human rights, MineWatch Canada, 24 January 2012

Honduras: Mining law reform in the murder capital of the world, Rights Action, 3 February 2012

Honduran mining set for boost from new mining law, Mineweb, 9 February 2012

Read the story of our meeting with women from San Miguel Ixtahuacan on our 2012 Delegation to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala blog

TAKE ACTION:

Urge the President of the National Congress, Juan Orlando Hernandez, and the caucus leaders to listen to the Honduran people’s demands by sending a letter here.

Donate here to support founded human rights organizations, and indigenous and campesino organizations.

Send copies of this letter by the Canadian MPs to Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Baird.