ND Law faculty, staff conduct human rights assessment in Guatemala
At the request of the Archbishop of Guatemala, the Center for Civil & Human Rights (CCHR) at Notre Dame Law School has formed an independent international panel to conduct a human rights impact assessment of gold mining operations at the Marlin Mine in San Marcos, Guatemala. At issue is whether the open pit mining practices of Montana Exploradora de Guatemala, S.A., a subsidiary of Goldcorp, Inc.—one of the world’s largest gold mining companies—are causing illness and other detrimental human rights effects among the Mayans who live there.
Read news stories about the situation here: /center-for-civil-and-human-rights/independent-international-panel/news-articles
The Archbishop’s request was extended in light of allegations of abuse arising in connection with the operation and activities of the Marlin Mine and the perceived need for an independent international assessment of the situation.
The panel is comprised of four independent experts:
Doug Cassel, Chair
Sean O’Brien
Ximena Medellin
Chris Jochnick
The independence of the assessment is ensured through public terms of engagement which disclose the entirety of the relationship between the panel and the Archbishop. Under those terms of engagement, the panel is charged with seeking: information and interviews from any person or party with potentially relevant information regarding the mine’s activities and social impacts, including, but not limited to, affected communities; witnesses; workers at the Marline Mine; journalists; Mayan anthropologists; scientists; human rights, religious and social activists; community and religious leaders; and Guatemalan government officials.
Toward this end, the panel seeks information from a wide range of stakeholders interested in, and impacted by, the operation of the Marlin Mine and associated activities. This information will allow the panel to assess the Marlin Mine’s past, present and potential future impacts and to arrive at conclusions and recommendations consistent with international legal norms and standards.
While the panel will exercise independent professional judgment concerning the human rights impact of the Marlin mine and its activities, a broad and deep understanding of that impact requires information and input from a wide range of stakeholders. If you or your organization would like to share relevant information with the panel, it can be reached by email at doug.cassel@nd.edu or at:
Doug Cassel
2150 Eck Hall of Law
Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA
As the terms of reference indicate, the panel will honor requests for anonymity. The final report, which will be made public in full, will be based strictly on evidence gathered by the panel and analyzed in light of the panel’s expertise and experience.
Finally, it should be noted that this assessment is separate, distinct and fully independent from the human rights assessment being conducted for Goldcorp under contract by the consulting firm, On Common Ground.
