System of Solidarity / Activities and Actions

Mexico and Excellon Resources, Inc: Respect the rights of the members of the Ejido La Sierrita and mineworkers

On September 9, 2012, ESCR Net transmitted a communication to the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, and Peter Crossgrove, Chairman of the Board of Excellon Resources, Inc. to express concerns about the use of force to disband of Ejido members assembling peacefully to protest the mine operation, the reported refusal of Excellon Mexico to participate in negotiations with the La Sierrita Ejido, alleged lack of compliance by Excellon with several previous agreements made with La Sierrita in 2008, and reported intimidation of people calling for dialogue.

Peru: Stop the loss of lives during anti-mining protests

On July 11, 2012, ESCR-Net transmitted a communication to the Government of Peru to request urgent action to protect the human rights of people protesting the Conga gold mine after five people lost their lives in the week of July 3.

Pakistan: Prevent the forcible eviction of fisherfolk

On April 27, 20120 ESCR-Net sent a letter to the Government of Pakistan to express regarding the imminent forcible eviction of 65 families, some 450 people, living on the sidelines of Shahpur dam, Attock district, Province of Punjab, and warned that the forcible displacement of the fisher folk families poses grave threats to their ability to realize their human right to water, health, adequate housing and an adequate standard of living, among a range of human rights.

Pakistan: Halt the acts of violence against fisherfolk leaders

On 26 March, 2012, ESCR-Net sent a letter to the Government of Pakistan to express concern regarding the ongoing acts of violence and threats against leaders of ESCR-Net member, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), including the recent raid of the home of the Chairman of the PFF, the abduction of several PFF leaders last July, the assassination of two PFF leaders in May and the ongoing threats and harassment against leaders of the PFF and the filing of baseless criminal charges (FIRs) against PFF leaders and members in recent months.

Mexico and Excellon Resources, Inc: Respect the rights of mineworkers

Between May 24 and August 4, ESCR-Net and Canadian-based Excellon Resources, Mexico exchanged communications regarding allegations of violations of the freedom of association for workers, non-compliance with health and safety standards and related concerns involving the company's operations in the La Sierrita mine in Mexico. To see a more detailed summary of the communications or to view the letters that were transmitted click here.

Mexico: Ongoing dialogue with Excellon Resources, Inc.

On August 4th, 2011, the ESCR-Net Secretariat reiterated its concerns of threats to and harassment of workers by Excellon authorities regarding the workers' right to unionize in the La Platosa mine in Durango, Mexico. ESCR-Net urged Excellon representatives to respect the workers' right to join...

India: Planned forced land acquisitions and repression of dissent

On June 17, 2011 ESCR-Net sent a letter calling on the Government of India to put an end to actions aimed at forcibly entering and seizing lands in and around the village of Govindpur to make way for an integrated steel plant. The letter also requested that India desist from all acts of intimidation and the filing of baseless criminal charges against human rights defenders and undertake to respect the human rights of the affected community.

Haiti: letter to international donors concerning human rights and international assistance

Prior to the International Donor Conference for Haiti in March of 2010, ESCR-Net drafted a letter to the states attending to urge them to follow a human rights-based approach to international assistance to Haiti.

Egypt: Down with violence against protesters and journalists

On February 3, 2011 ESCR-Net issued a statement condemning the arrest of a number of human rights activists, the attacks against journalists, and isolation of Tahrir Square as well as the failure of the Egyptian military to provide protection to pro-democracy protesters. The Network urged both the Egyptian and US governments, as well as the International Community, to condemn such violence and repression, to support pro-democratic movements and to defend the protection of human rights.

Pakistan: Stop ongoing threats and acts of violence against Pakistani fisherfolk leaders

On 1 June, 2011, the International Network on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights sent a letter to senior members of the government of Pakistan to express concern regarding ongoing threats and acts of violence against leaders of ESCR-Net member Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) who have mobilized in response to the clearing of mangroves and associated land grabbing activities.