Human rights report rattles XSTRATA-SMI
Admits funding the military
By Bernie Lopez
eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com

The Tampakan Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) is an international study, which was triggered mainly by two factors. First was the escalating violence and killings in the Tampakan proposed mine site area after Xstrata-SMI began exploration, and after the massacre by military elements of the wife and two sons of Daguil Capion, an anti-mining leader (see Youtube links at the end). The suspects are now facing a protracted military court trial. The second factor was the indirect complicity of Xstrata-SMI in human rights violations due to admittance by the Kiblawan Mayor during a congressional hearing that Xstrata-SMI was funding military elements. In fact, SMI openly and casually admits it gave a million pesos to Task Force KITACO, the military group overseeing the proposed mine area.

The pathetic replies of Xstrata-SMI to the HRIA are a rehash of old obsolete retorts of the mining industry already proven wrong. And what was strange is the copy emailed to this author by SMI Public Affairs, did not have a letterhead, and was unsigned. Were they indeed rattled by the report? Did they have an utter fear of coming out in the open, if they indeed felt they had something substantial to say. The preliminary reply on the draft HRIA was signed by Callow.

(Author’s note. This article is a bit lengthy because it gives a historical overview. Readers can go direct to Part 2, if they know the overview. Part 1. Overview. Part 2. SMI Response to the HRIA.)

Read full article @www.sisterraquel.com

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