PBI-Honduras accompanies CEHPRODEC at annual march against extractivism

On August 30, the Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project posted on social media, “Yesterday we accompanied CEHPRODEC to an annual march in which hundreds of people from the communities protested against the extractivism that, they say, threaten the territories and natural resources.”

PBI-Honduras has explained that CEHPRODEC (the Honduran Centre for the Promotion of Community Development) is focused on “the defence of human rights, in particular on economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.”

CEHPRODEC has previously raised concerns about the toxic legacy in the Siria Valley from the Vancouver-based Goldcorp San Martin mine that was closed in 2010. The water there is now polluted with heavy metals, including arsenic, lead, and mercury.

In March of this year, PBI-Honduras accompanied alongside CEHPRODEC and C-Libre (the Committee for Freedom of Expression) the trial of 13 water defenders from Guapinol opposed to a mine on their territory.

In May, PBI-Honduras accompanied CEHPRODEC to San Estebán, a municipality 285 kilometres north-east of Tegucigalpa, for an “assembly on the care of the environment, natural resources and mining” that discussed the impacts of mining on human rights.

And in early August, PBI-Honduras observed with CEHPRODEC a census in the community of Namasigüe in the department of Choluteca. PBI has noted, “With an accurate census, there is greater hope of being able to hold an open consultation on possible future mining and solar energy concessions in the area.” Montreal-based Glen Eagle Resources Inc. may be pursuing two mining projects in the area.

PBI-Honduras has accompanied CEHPRODEC since May 2014.

Donald Hernandez from CEHPRODEC has stated, “CEHPRODEC was the first institution in Honduras to receive accompaniment from Peace Brigades. We are very thankful and content because this accompaniment has permitted us to carry out our work in a better way.”

#PBIacompaña