PBI-Honduras visits ASODEBICOQ in Santa Bárbara and learns about actions taken in defence of land, water and territory

On March 9, the Peace Brigades International-Honduras Project posted, “Last February we were in the department of Santa Barbara as part of our internal tour to follow up on the activities of our company accompanied by ASODEBICOQ (Association for the Defense of Common Goods of Quimistan).”

PBI-Honduras adds, “There we were able to visit different communities and learn more about the actions they carry out in defense of the land, water and territory and human rights.”

Quimistán is a municipality in the department of Santa Bárbara.

In February 2019, Radio Progreso reported that the department of Santa Bárbara is “threatened by more than 15 hydroelectric projects and 23 concessions for mining.”

That same article notes, “In the municipality of Quimistán, there is an imminent danger from the installation of the Santa Lucia hydroelectric dam, which is advanced by 90%. And, despite the fact that there is a strong rejection by the population, they currently intend to build a second hydroelectric dam also on the Cuyagual River.”

ASODEBICOQ is opposed to the construction of the Santa Lucia I and Santa Lucia II dams. It has called on the Government of Honduras to stop construction of the dams because the project violates the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989, an International Labour Organization Convention, also known as ILO-convention 169.

PBI-Honduras has accompanied ASODEBICOQ since May 2018.