Report-Back: Sit-in targets Chair of Human Rights Subcommittee for ignoring Canadian mining abuses
As the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights begins its country visit of Canada, Human rights activists staged a sit-in today at the North York constituency office of MP Michael Levitt, chair of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights. The sit-in participants held a banner exclaiming that “mining abuse is a human rights issue”, taking aim at comments from members of the subcommittee, including Levitt, that the harm caused overseas mining was a trade issue, not a human rights one. Activists also delivered 25 reports numbering over 1000 pages – authored by numerous NGOs as well as several committees within the United Nations and the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights – detailing the connection between the global mining industry and systemic human rights abuse. They asserted that Levitt should be a leader in the charge to create a human rights ombudsperson for the extractive sector, not a detractor.
Levitt was targeted for this action because his office has been particularly dismissive of human rights violations at Canadian mine sites overseas. In two previous meetings, including one with a Filipino delegation with Subanen and Lumad Indigenous leaders, Levitt failed to address their concerns and instead insisted that they should bring their complaints elsewhere.
A filmmaker and an activist visit Peru. You’ll never believe why they were arrested!
This isn’t clickbait. This is real life. This is the Canadian mining industry.
Last week two friends of MISN were arrested in Peru after showing a documentary exposing Hudbay Minerals’ track record of human rights and environmental abuses.
Stop by this Canadian mining company’s annual general meeting to watch the film that they didn’t want Peruvians to see!
Where: 150 King St. West
When: Thursday (May 4) 1-3pm
Facebook event here.
Reportback and Media Round-up from Barrick AGM
REPORTBACK: Barrick AGM and the Porgera Women’s Delegation
Barrick’s Annual General Meeting this year focused on survivor-led organizing in Papua New Guinea, as we were honoured to have the presence of two survivor-advocates against sexual violence in Porgera with us in Toronto this year. While Everlyn Gaupe and Joycelyn Mandi were inside to testify, about 50 people rallied in the cold and rain so that when they came out, they would be greeted by supporters.
Inside the meeting, Everlyn and Joycelyn were denied speaking rights, despite having legal proxies. Catherine Coumans, from MiningWatch Canada, instead read their statements aloud while the women stood beside her. Klaire Gain and Dan Hammond were able to speak to issues at Barrick’s Pueblo Viejo mine within Barrick’s meeting, including a hilarious exchange from the floor of the audience with Barrick President Kelvin Dushnisky.
The interventions were mentioned in mainstream media and Everlyn and Joycelyn’s visit has been the subject of several in-depth pieces.
The women are still in North America where they are meeting with allies and supporters. MISN is organizing a smartphone and camera drive for the women, so that they can take these documentation tools home with them to distribute amongst the women in the communities surrounding Barrick’s Porgera mine. Please get in touch if you have a phone or camera to send with them!
MUST-LISTEN AUDIO
This hour-long interview with Everyln and Joycelyn from #WeAreUofT on CIUT fm. Ellie Adekur from Silence is Violence (UofT) interviews the women as they open up about their experiences with the company. Listen here.
MEDIA ROUND-UP (so far) from Joycelyn and Everlyn’s visit
VICE (video forthcoming): Women from Papua New Guinea bring rape complaints to Canadian mining company’s door
NOW TORONTO: Sex assault survivors silenced at Barrick shareholders meeting
TORONTO MEDIA COOP: Barrick gets called out as sirens sound red alert at Pueblo Viejo mine
GLOBE AND MAIL: Barrick shares tumble as gold miner sounds cautious tone
FINANCIAL POST: Barrick’s bad day: Shares fall 10% as investor confidence shaken by third cyanide spill at Argentine mine
Everlyn also appeared on prime time CBC radio for their coverage of the Peoples Climate Movement march in Toronto, and a piece is due out on the BBC!
We Believe Survivors of Canadian Mining and Barrick Gold
April 24, 7pm: We Believe Survivors of Canadian Mining Panel
April 25, 10:30am: Barrick AGM Protest, 255 Front St.
Every year, we gather outside of the Annual General Meeting of Canadian mining giant Barrick gold, to amplify the voices of those directly impacted by their operations globally. This year, we are shining the spotlight on gendered violence at Barrick’s mines, by highlighting and supporting survivors of sexual assault.
This year, come to hear updates of the struggles against Barrick’s abuses at mine sites around the world, with a special focus on women-led organizing.
PANEL DISCUSSION: Monday April 24, 7pm @UofT (exact location TBA)
On the night before the demonstration, join us and Silence is Violence – University of Toronto for We Believe Survivors of Canadian Mining as we take an international, national, and very personal look at violence against women, as we find solidarity in the similarity of these struggles.
From gaslighting tactics, to the cultural and legal barriers that prevent women from sharing their stories, we will look at the systemic forces that work to silence victims of abuse. We will also hear from courageous women who have stood up for themselves and self-organized with other survivors to tell their stories and demand accountability.
//ProtestBarrick is an international campaign of support and solidarity with communities directly impacted by Barrick around the world. It is 100% volunteer-run and in its 10th year! The protest outside Barrick Gold’s AGM is a time that we come together with representatives of Barrick impacted communities to reconnect with their frontline struggles and push for accountability and visibility for these issues in Canada.//
LA CONVENCIÓN MINERA DE PDAC PIDE AL PUBLICO QUE #INTERRUMPALAMINERIA (en Ingles: #DISRUPTMINING): ACTIVISTAS RESPONDEN
100 habitantes de Toronto toman un “Tour Toxico” de la Ciudad que termina en la Convención Minera
Domingo, 5 de Marzo de 2017
Toronto, Canadá: PDAC, la convención minera más grande del mundo, inició hoy su 85 evento anual en Toronto. En respuesta al pedido de la Asociación de Prospectores y Desarrolladores de Canadá (PDAC) de ideas innovadores para #InterrumpirlaMinería (en Ingles #DisruptMining), más de un centenar de personas participaron en un tour de “Toronto Toxico” de la ciudad organizado por la Red de Solidaridad contra la Injusticia Minera (En ingles: Mining Injustice Solidarity Network, MISN). El viaje en autobús termino con una manifestación en el lugar de la convención, donde las declaraciones fueron compartidas por comunidades de todo el mundo, afectadas por las empresas que exhiben dentro de la convención. Decenas de participantes del tour también aprovecharon la oportunidad para asistir a la PDAC, usando camisetas que promueven la importancia del consentimiento de la comunidad acerca de los proyectos mineros canadienses. Muchos/as fueron echados/a rápidamente – o ni siquiera se les permitió ingresar en las instalaciones. Aparentemente, esta no fue la interrupción que buscaba la PDAC.
