PBI-Honduras observes community consultation that rejects mines and solar power park

The Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project has posted, “On November 17, PBI-Honduras observed a self-consultation of the municipality of Namasigüe, Choluteca, which was carried out with the technical support of our accompanied organization, CEHPRODEC.”

PBI-Honduras adds, “According to the final vote count, 97% of the residents rejected the installation of mining projects and photovoltaic plants.”

The mining projects appear to involve Montreal-based Glen Eagle Resources Inc. and its Honduran subsidiary Cobra Oro.

The photovoltaic plants appear to involve Oslo, Norway-based Scatec Solar and its plan to build a solar energy park. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has noted the villagers oppose the solar project because they were not consulted about it, it puts their access to water at risk as well as the possibility of freely moving around the area.

PBI-United Kingdom has noted, “CEHPRODEC provides legal and technical assistance to indigenous and small- scale farmer organisations that are defending their territory against extractive industries and hydroelectric schemes.”

PBI-Honduras has accompanied CEHPRODEC since May 2014.