국제앰네스티는 2년간 조작된 살인혐의로 수감되었던 멕시코 선주민 인권 활동가의 석방을 환영했다.
라울 에르난데스 (Raul Hernandez)는 8월 27일 금요일 게레로(Guerrero) 주 판사에 의해 무죄방면 되었다.
국제앰네스티의 루퍼트 녹스(Rupert Knox)멕시코 조사관은 “라울 에르난데스의 석방을환영한다. 멕시코 당국은 이제 이 사건을 다시조사하고 그의 잘못된 수감에 관해 완전히 배상해야 한다. 라울 에르난데스의 장기적인 구금과이 사건과 관련한 기소결정은 멕시코 당국의 인권단체인 메파 선주민 협회(Me’phaa Indigenous People’s Organization)에 대한 체계적인 탄압조치의 일부분이다”라고 말했다.
석방뒤 그는 국제앰네스티 알베르토 헤레라 (Alberton Herrera) 국제앰네스티 멕시코지부국 사무국장에게 “국제앰네스티와 나의 자유를 위해 일한 많은 나라사람들에게 감사를 표한다”라고 말했다.
국제앰네스티는 2008년 11월 라울 에르난데스를 양심수로 규정한 이래로 그에 대한 캠페인을 계속해 왔다.
INDIA REJECTION OF VEDANTA MINE A LANDMARK VICTORY FOR INDIGENOUS RIGHTS
24 August 2010Amnesty International has described the Indian government’s decision to reject the bauxite mine project in Orissa’s Niyamgiri Hills as a landmark victory for the human rights of Indigenous communities.
India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests today rejected the mine project proposed by a subsidiary of UK-based Vedanta Resources and the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation, after finding that the project already extensively violates forest and environmental laws and would perpetrate abuses against the Dongria Kondh adivasi and other communities on the Hills.
“The Dongria Kondh and other local communities have been struggling for years for this decision, which is a very welcome one,” said Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director, Madhu Malhotra.
“The companies and the Orissa government should now guarantee that they will not attempt to simply move the project to another site without ensuring adequate safeguards – they must ensure they will respect the human rights of Indigenous and local communities wherever the companies operate.”
Amnesty International also welcomed the government’s decision to suspend the clearance process for the six-fold expansion of the Lanjigarh refinery at the foothills of Niyamgiri, operated by Vedanta subsidiary Vedanta Aluminium, after a government’s expert committee found it to be illegal.
“The authorities should order a clean-up of the Lanjigarh refinery, which has caused air and water pollution, seriously affecting the rights of neighbouring communities who are finding life there unbearable”, said Madhu Malhotra.
Amnesty International called on government authorities to establish a clear and transparent process that seeks the free, prior and informed consent of any Indigenous communities who may be affected by such projects, and respect their decision, in accordance with national and international law.
The Ministry-commissioned expert report that underpinned today’s decisions, documented the companies’ legal violations and human rights abuses. Its findings and the rejection of the project are consistent with Amnesty International’s extensive report published in February 2010, Don’t Mine us out of Existence: Bauxite Mine and Refinery Devastate Lives in India.
For eight years, the Dongria Kondh and other communities in Niyamgiri have been protesting against bauxite mining plans by Vedanta Resources subsidiary, Sterlite Industries India, and the Orissa Mining Corporation.
The communities were concerned that the project, which would have been situated on their traditional sacred lands and habitats, would result in violations of their rights as Indigenous peoples to water, food, health, work and other rights to protection of their culture and identity.
“After years of struggle and visits by committees our voice has finally reached Delhi,” a Dongria Kondh leader today told Amnesty International.
