Ascendant Mining Invade Intag Communities: Victims Of Violence
Published by MAC on 2006-12-03Source: Ecumenical Human Rights Commision CEDHU
Latin American Update
6th December 2006
ECUADOR
Intag Communities Victim of Violent New Attempted Invasion*
Statement from the Ecumenical Human Rights Commission (CEDHU)
3rd December 2006
At approximately 4 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2006, a group of persons from Otavalo and the Intag area, associated with Ascendant Copper Corporation - some in camouflage and some dressed as civilians - used tear gas, machine guns and handguns in the area of Chalguayacu Alto (GarcÌa Moreno Parish; Cotacachi County, Imbabura province) injuring some members of the local population. As a consequence of this confrontation, farmer Israel Pérez suffered a bullet wound. The community captured 25 of these invaders, with the aim of turning them over to the police.
Around 8 a.m., in another area, four pick-up trucks full of persons in camouflage went by the community of Villaflora, Barcelona area, heading towards the cordillera, at the same time that a helicopter was flying over JunÌn and adjacent areas. Around midday, the vehicles returned empty.
Another group of approximately 50 persons from Peñaherrera were also heading towards JunÌn. Similarly, other persons contracted by the company are trying to head towards JunÌn from Cuellaje.
Among the incidents reported by the communities was the destruction of the fence protecting the installations of Intag's community radio and the destruction of 5 metres of the antenna. The communities also denounced the alleged judicial order to occupy lands claimed by Ascendant Copper Corporation.
Individuals associated with Ascendant seize government authorities and inhabitants from Intag
Around 5 p.m. on December 2, Councillor Luis Robalino, President of the Parish Council of Peñaherrera Gustavo León, Radio Intag journalist MarÌa Augusta DÌaz, a member of the Coffee Growers Association, and several journalists were intercepted and held in Chalguayaco Alto by individuals associated with Ascendant Copper Corporation
Around 8 p.m. on the night of December 2 both the persons detained by the individuals associated with Ascendant and those detained by the community were freed.
December 3, 2006: The JunÌn community is besieged by personnel armed by Ascendant Copper Corporation.
In the early dawn hours of today, another incursion comprised of about 120 armed individuals tried to reach JunÌn through the route known as 'El Copo', while others are arriving in Chalguayacu Bajo.
The communities denounce that the persons who are in the vicinity of JunÌn and are trying to reach the community are using tactics of warfare.
These series of armed incursions coincide with a denunciation previously presented by the Intag Parish Government Association to Sergio Torres, Imbabura's Police Chief, and to Imbabura's governor, Mr. Juan Almedia, against two officials of the Army (one is retired Army Major Marco Vinicio Vargas Padilla), who were in Otavalo planning these incursions since November 8th 2006.
The new incidents that took place December 1 and 2 were denounced by CEDHU to General Luis GarzÛn (First Army Division, in Quito), who confirmed that an Army helicopter had been hired for delivering provisions, but assured that no active Army personnel took part in the operative.
The reported incidents also coincide with the Minister of Energy's doublespeak, because on the one hand he proposes that the communities abide by Constitutional norms and other laws of the nation, as well as carrying forth a series of meetings with representatives of the Cotacachi Municipal government, the Intag Parish Association, and community representatives, with the goal of addressing the issue (proposed on the 24th of November); on the other hand, he makes statements against "foreigners that oppose mining", disrespecting the process of dialogue that he himself proposed (see Imbabura's Diario del Norte, December 1 and 2). The statements also demonstrate how this functionary marginalises not only the position of Intag's communities but also the policies of local governments - Parish governments, Cotacachi Municipality, and the Imbabura government - who have publicly stated their opposition to mining.
We hold the Minister of Energy and Mines and Ascendant Copper Corporation responsible for these new measures which threaten human rights of Intag's communities, and for all other consequences derived from these premeditated armed incursions.
We call on the province's governor and the police to make sure enough personnel are assigned to protect the people, stop the pro-mining incursions, and prevent confrontations in the area.
We ask the Ministry of Defence to fully investigate the paramilitary groups used by the Canadian corporation Ascendant Copper, as well as the contracted retired Major Marco Vinicio Vargas Padilla.
We ask the local, provincial, national and international media to report on these new abuses, which pose a risk to life, the physical integrity of individuals, and the peaceful tradition of the Ecuadorian people.
Sincerely,
Sister Elsie Monge
Executive Director
Ecumenical Human Rights Commission CEDHU (Ecuador)