On September 29, PBI-Honduras posted: “PBI accompanies CEHPRODEC in the presentation of unconstitutionality appeals against the ZEDES [Zones of Employment and Economic Development] and against the reform of the Mining Law.”

Their post quotes Donald Hernández of CEHPRODEC who says: “We know that there is no mine in the world that does not pollute. There is no green mining.”

EDN TV further explains: “Members of different environmental organizations have come to the CSJ [Supreme Court of Justice] facilities to present two appeals of unconstitutionality against the ZEDES project and several mining projects that threaten the environment.”

Proceso Digital has noted: “The ZEDEs are areas of the national territory subject to a ‘special regime’ in which investors would be in charge of fiscal, security and conflict resolution policy, among other competences.”

Avispa adds: “It should be noted that the regions where the ZEDE are projected have abundant natural assets, in addition to having the presence of indigenous population, whose context is affected by different territorial conflicts and the threat of other extractivist projects.”

MiningWatch Canada has stated: “The General Mining Law was developed with technical assistance paid for with Canadian overseas development aid. Its passage in 2013 lifted a seven-year moratorium on any new mining projects.”

It has also noted: “This law was developed and passed with strong diplomatic support from the Canadian embassy, and with contributions from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the former Canadian International Development Agency.”

Among the concerns expressed by Honduran groups including CEHPRODEC: “The law fails to ensure the protection of natural areas and water sources vital for human consumption and other uses health” and “imposes limits on citizen participation and contradicts provisions for environmental conservation by prohibiting areas free of mining from being created for any length of time.”

PBI-Honduras has accompanied the Honduran Centre for the Promotion of Community Development (CEHPRODEC) since May 2014.

Photo from video of the protest.

    Tags: 
    Honduras