Canada’s Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland is participating in a high level Central American prosperity and security conference in Miami today.
Amnesty International Canada urges that extreme dangers facing defenders of land, territory and the environment must not be overlooked in discussions she has with her counterparts from the US and Mexico, as well as government official and business leaders from Central America, the United States, Canada and Mexico.
On June 8, Parliament’s Subcommittee on International Human Rights heard disturbing testimony from community leaders from Honduras and Guatemala regarding threats, attacks and assassinations in response to their peaceful efforts to oppose the negative impacts of resource extraction projects proceeding without due diligence.
“Canada has clear obligations given that Canadian-based companies are implicated in violence against citizens exercising and defending their human rights. The road map to prosperity and security includes meaningful consultation and the free, prior and informed consent of affected indigenous communities. Their voices must be heard, not silenced by deadly attacks.” – Alex Neve, Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada.
