The following photo report is meant to inform the international community about the serious health crisis in the Siria Valley of Honduras, where Entremares (a subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc.) is operating an open-pit gold mine.
The report comes via Carlos Amador of the Siria Valley Environmental Committee (Comité Ambientalista del Valle de Siria), which is struggling to assist these and other affected villagers in the Siria Valley.
It’s an unnerving crisis to say the least; especially since Goldcorp continues to ignore and deny the situation. In fact, the company is trying to expand its mining operation.
The Siria Valley Environmental Committee will be participating in the People’s International Health Tribunal which is taking place later this month in the community of San Miguel Ixtaguacan, Guatemala.
By Carlos Amador, July 2, 2012
Below, we present a series of photographs documenting the reality of life in the Siria Valley, Honduras, where a serious endemic health crisis continues to unfold. The health problems were caused by open-pit mining exploitation carried out by Entremares, a subsidiary of Goldcorp Inc. of Canada, at its “San Martin” mining operation.
Since 2003, we have been documenting and denouncing the harms to our health and our environment, as well as other violations of our rights. As you will see in these photos, the problems are chronic. We are very alarmed, as we see the health of our community members getting worse every day … and it has been four years since Goldcorp suspended its mining operation here.
I, Carlos Amador, took these photos on May 10, 2012, when the Medical Brigade came to the community of El Pedernal (Siria Valley). People came to be examined by the Brigade from: El Pedernal, Palos Ralos, Barrosas, El Escanito, Guayabillas and Pueblo Nuevo. Former employees of Entremares (Goldcorp), with health problems caused by work in the mine, also came to be examined.
The Medical Brigade was coordinated and directed by Dr. Juan Almendares.
This is the part one of our photo-report. In the days to come, we will bring out part two, dealing with the impacts on the health of our community members whose lives are seriously threatened – they find themselves in a chronicle of a death foretold.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH TRIBUNAL – GUATEMALA
As well, on July 14 and 15, we will be participating in the International Health Tribunal taking place in the community of San Miguel Ixtaguacan, Guatemala. (http://tribunaldesalud.org/; http://healthtribunal.org/)
This photo-essay is a message from the Siria Valley Environmental Committee to inform people of the terrible health crisis we are experiencing as a result of mining exploitation activities carried out by Entremares (Goldcorp Inc).
We urgently need more funds to support those who are suffering from health harms. As well, we need political support to continue our struggle for truth, justice and full reparations for all victims.
Please contact us directly with questions and comments.
In Canada and the United States, please contact Rights Action, an NGO that we have worked with in our struggle since 2004. Rights Action also supports us with funds received from Canada and the United States.
Thank-you. Please re-distribute this photo-report widely.
Carlos Amador
Siria Valley Environmental Committee
piviamador@yahoo.com
[504] 9962-9481
Dr. Juan Almendares
almendarez.bonilla@gmail.com
IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES:
Grahame Russell
Rights Action
info@rightsaction.org
860-352-2448
www.rightsaction.org
www.facebook.com/rightsaction.org
Indigenous Peoples are putting their bodies on the line and it's our responsibility to make sure you know why. That takes time, expertise and resources - and we're up against a constant tide of misinformation and distorted coverage. By supporting IC you're empowering the kind of journalism we need, at the moment we need it most.