Studies
manipulated to dispossess a community
by the
April 10th Movement in Defense of the Tabasara River (M-10)
The inhabitants of the
area directly and indirectly affected by the Barro Blanco project
assert our rights publish the decision about possession of the
reservoir area of the Barro Blanco project:
1. The inhabitants of Rio
Tabasara were never informed prior to the environmental impact
assessment in the area.
2. After having completed
the environmental impact study, 6.68 hectares, which are owned by
seven members of the community who are responsible for the collective
use of land, were added.
3. The landowners are now
aware that these 6.68 hectares are included in the environmental
impact study, but have no knowledge of the area that the project will
occupy for the reforestation area.
4. The execution of the
project without informing the residents, leaving the population
unaware, violates the principle of Law 10, which created the
Ngäbe-Bugle Comarca.
5. The forum held by that
company was not in the impact area.
6. We have seen the
proposals from the promoter for compensation for our land, which in
our opinion are laughable and a mockery of the Earth that nourishes
life.
7. With the revision of
the environmental impact study submitted to the National
Environmental Authority (ANAM) --- an addendum increasing the project
from 19 to 28 megawatts and the reservoir from 36 to 43 meters in
height --- the analysis of the elevation of the affected area as
approved can not be maintained.
8. The ANAM and ASEP
resolutions approving the environmental impact study were for the
benefit of the company, without prior investigation about whether the
resolutions could affect the environment of the area of the comarca.
9. Furthermore, this
proposal ignores the female members of the community and
discriminates against the presence of children.
10. The cost of our land
goes beyond that which the company has proposed.
11. At the first meeting
between ANAM, the Barro Blanco company and government it was
discovered that the environmental impact study was manipulated.
12. Landowners, who are
being asked, believe that with the latest technology in power
generation such as solar panels, wind and tidal power it is not
necessary to install the company's dam on indigenous land.
13. ANAM, ASEP and the
government are bundled together in a single blanket and they care
very little about violating the rights of indigenous peoples.
14. Adequate time was not
given to the comarca authorities to discuss the Barro Blanco project
with the General Congress, and these authorities now find out about
the contentious issue in our area, with the company taking advantage
of the low awareness of our authorities about the project.
15. In the construction
of the Barro Blanco project our rights to be free and protected by
law are overturned.
16. Constitutional
rights, Law 10 and other basic principles such as the Universal
Declaration on Indigenous Peoples do not allow the government or the
Barro Blanco Company and its promoters to impose their business
without the consent of the population.
17. The company would not
only affect the land, but also all other forms of natural and
cultural life in our environment, including all living beings.
18. We believe that the
Earth is not a commodity, so we do not know how much the price can
be, because the land is priceless and not a business.
19. For these reasons and
others we, the owners of the fincas, do not agree to any course of
business that we believe is not profitable for us and our families.
Pablo
Carpintero 4-709-1197 finca #30
Luis
Jiménez 4-PI-14927 finca #26
Cecilio
Jiménez 4-PI-1-2685 finca #30
Manolo
Miranda R. 4-P1-14-720 finca #28
Manolo
Miranda hijo 4-713-1091 finca #28
Rubén
Jiménez 4-PI-7-889 finca #24
General
opinion
Since 1492 upon the
arrival of the Spanish in our land, the politicans and economic
powers have always used their laws to invade us and to undermine our
people's knowledge. Central America was not conquered by economic
means but through the slaughter of our people. The international
background for the companies to suppress indigenous peoples appears
in the story of 1492. It is not over. Let's be clear: the inhabitants
and owners of the land and the April 10th Movement will do no
business with and will not welcome any company that opposes our
self-determination and our rights.
