System of Solidarity / Activities and Actions

Mexico and Excellon Resources, Inc: Stop harassment and threats against mineworkers

In response to reports of threats to and harassment of workers by Excellon authorities regarding the workers’ right to unionize, ESCR-Net urged the Mexican government and representatives of Excellon to ensure an honest, transparent, and participatory negotiation process with the owners of the communal lands of La Sierrita, to cease all threats or harassment of workers choosing to join a union and to respect and uphold the workers’ human rights to integrity, to security, and freedom of association in the La Platosa mine.

Mexico: Condemning attack against international human rights observers in Oaxaca

In response to a request by an ESCR-Net member, we have written an urgent action letter (attached and below) urging to Mexican authorities to take all necessary measures to clarify the assassination of rights activists Beatriz Alberta Cariño, head of ESCR-Net member CACTUS (Community Working Together Support Center), and Jiry Antero Jaakkola, a citizen of Finland, who was killed this past April 27th, identify and punish all those responsible, and provide immediate and effective protection for his family and colleagues.

Ecuador: Solidarity with indigenous organization CONAIE

ESCR-Net called on the President of Ecuador to protect the human right to life and physical integrity of Mr. Leonidas Iza, president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities in Ecuador (CONAIE) and his family members.

Colombia: Stop attacks and military actions affecting indigenous people in Toribio and Jambalo

ESCR-Net expresses its solidarity with the indigenous populations of Toribio and Jambalo in Cauca, Colombia, who are pacifists in the ongoing war against the guerilla forces. ESCR-Net asks that attacks and confrontations cease in the urban areas of Toribio and other places with peaceful, indigenous populations.

Zimbabwe: Cease mass evictions and respect the right of security of tenure

ESCR-Net and Habitat International Coalition-Housing and Land Rights Network (HIC-HLRN) expressed their solidarity for displaced Zimbabweans who were evicted by their government.

Peru: Support the peasant movement to preserve small farming and promote food sovereignty

ESCR-Net announces its solidarity with the 10th Congress of the Confederación Campesina del Perú (CCP) and supports its fight to prevent Peruvian agriculture from being a victim of free commerce practices that infringe upon essential rights, to protect biodiversity and public health, and promote alimentary sovereignty.

Peru: Respect freedom of speech for labor and human rights organizations

ESCR-Net stands in solidarity with Peruvian civil society organizations and Centro de Asesoría Laboral del Perú (CEDAL) in maintaining their right to freedom of speech.

Israel: Respect international law and protect Palesinians in Gaza Strip

ESCR-Net and its members called for the Israeli government to honor international laws and the rights of the Palestinian population on the Gaza Strip, especially the right to health services.

Brazil: Resolve tensions between farmers and agribusiness in Paraná

ESCR-Net requested that the Brazilian government take steps in response to the violence and tension that broke out at Sygenta Seeds farm in Paraná, Brazil. It was called on to secure the safety and protect the human rights of the members of MST and Via Campesina, the two groups involved, and to take measures to disband the private security company that caused the violence.

Mexico: Solidarity with the ejido co-owners of La Sierrita

ESCR-Net requested that President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa urge EXCELLON RESOURCES INC mining company of Canada to attend the dialogue table held with the ejido co-owners of the communal land known as "La Sierrita" in the municipality of Tlahualilo, Durango State, Mexico to discuss how to improve the living conditions of the La Sierrita ejido community and to realize their right to decide on the use of their land.