The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) organised a meeting, in conjunction with Peace Brigades International UK, with two Women Human Rights Defenders from Mexico on 23 November to discuss their work documenting human rights abuses relating to local mining activities, and the threats they have received as a consequence.

The speakers were:

• Cristina Auerbach – Director, Organización Familia Pasta de Conchos (CA);
• Maria Esmeralda Saldaña – Member, Organización Familia Pasta de Conchos (MES).

The main points which arose were as follows:

• The working conditions for the miners in the Coahuila region of Mexico are extremely poor: it is like modern day slavery. In the past 120 years during which the mining activities have been carried out, 3,000 miners have died and no one has been punished. Most recently, in 2010, 14 miners died. (CA)
• In an effort to prevent further accidents, and particularly deaths, people are now able to contact her with a complaint or an issue in relation to working practices, and she responds quickly. She contacts the authorities and accompanies them when they investigate the complaint.  This more pro-active approach has proved helpful in countering corruption in connection with serious health and safety breaches, but has not made her popular with the mining companies.  Her work more generally has resulted in a 90% decrease in the incidence of accidents. (CA)
• The mines are locally owned and many are located in residential areas. It has been reported that people have been picked up, taken to the police station and forced to sign documents to sell their houses for a low price. If they resist, they are handed over to gangs who beat them to get them to agree. (CA)
• Maria Esmeralda and Cristina have faced threats due to their work, and now benefit from protection measures. Maria Esmeralda and her family face constant surveillance and intimidation by armed men, particularly at night. Cristina recounted how every year she is provided with more protection from private companies, which is paid for by the Government, but the Government is not willing to address the root cause of the problem. The international accompaniment provided by Peace Brigades International has now effectively become Cristina’s ‘panic button’, and is acting to remove the threat and engage the state. (MES + CA)
• On the international stage, Mexico is held up as a positive example in terms of state support for HRDs and their protection, but in reality it is not willing to solve the underlying problems which result in the HRD’s insecurity. (CA)
• The mining companies need to know their actions are being monitored. In this regard, it would be helpful if representatives from the international community, such as Embassy officials, could see the situation on the ground for themselves. (CA)
• There must be environmental recuperation. The majority of inhabitants continue to breathe in coal dust from local mines, yet do not have access to any hospital to deal with the resulting medical problems.
• The mines also have to be made to operate in accordance with the law and to stop violating the rights of their workers.
• The relatives of the miners trapped inside the mine Pasta de Conchos in 2006 are still asking for the recovery of the 63 bodies. Every year, the Organización Familia Pasta de Conchos organises a memorial on 19 February to commemorate the disaster and reiterate the demand for the recovery of the bodies.
• Europe and the UK need to do more to hold the Mexican Government to account, particularly in connection with any trade agreements.

The PHRG will continue to monitor the protection needs of HRDs in Mexico, as well as the impact of mining activities on local communities, and to raise its concerns with relevant interlocutors.