Mining in Guatemala: Rights at Risk

Disputes around mining have been widespread in Guatemala in recent years. Across the country Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous communities have protested against the installation of mine sites on their lands and near their homes. Motivated by fears that mining will contaminate their environment and/or negatively impact their livelihoods and the enjoyment of their human rights, protests and disputes over such projects have erupted. Years of threats and violence, including injuries and deaths, and division and resentment within communities have been the result. Community leaders protesting against mining are often targeted with threats, acts of intimidation or attacks. In the majority of cases the perpetrators of such acts have yet to be held to account