Hudbay Minerals on trial for mining-related gang-rapes, murder, assault
 
Today, Sept.17, 2019, there is a court hearing in Toronto (393 University Ave, 10am) in the precedent setting Hudbay Minerals lawsuits, concerning mining-related violence in Guatemala: the gang-rape of 11 women in 2007; the killing of a community leader and shooting-paralyzing of a campesino in 2009.
 
Today, Hudbay is arguing that the 11 gang-rape victims/plaintiffs should only be able to sue Hudbay for the gang-rapes committed by the company’s then private security guards, not the gang-rapes committed by the Guatemalan military and police. Hudbay is making this argument notwithstanding the fact that the gang-rapes of the 11 women were committed by rampaging groups of armed police, military and company security guards during a violent eviction requested, authorized and co-planned by the mining company; notwithstanding the fact that Skye made large monetary payments directly to the Guatemalan police and military for their participation in the planning and carrying out of the violent evictions.
 
Two of the plaintiffs - Irma Yolanda (a gang-rape victim) and Angelica Choc (widow of Adolfo Ich who was murdered during a separate incident by Hudbay’s security guards) - will travel to Toronto for the hearing.
 

Preparatory meeting, September 16, 2019.  L-R: Toronto based lawyers Murray Klippenstein and Cory Wanless; Grahame Russell (Rights Action); Irma Yolanda Choc Cac (rape-victim, plaintiff) & Angelica Choc (widow of murdered Adolfo Ich, plaintiff)
 
Court hearing:
10am, Tuesday, September 17, 2019, Ontario Superior Court of Justice, 393 University Ave, Toronto
 
Public presentation, September 17, 2019, 6pm-8pm
WHO:  Mayan Q’eqchi’ plaintiffs Angelica Choc & Irma Yolanda Choc Cac (both from Guatemala); Toronto lawyers Murray Klippenstein & Cory Wanless; Grahame Russell of Rights Action
WHERE:  OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education), Nexus Lounge, 12th floor, 252 Bloor Street W., Toronto
 
More info: Grahame Russell, Rights Action, 416-807-4436. [email protected]
 
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